Effects of Hot Band Annealing on the Mechanical Properties of Cold-Rolled and Intercritically Annealed Medium Manganese Steels

The effects of intercritical annealing, before and after cold rolling, on retained austenite volume fractions, austenite stability, and tensile properties of a 7.39Mn-0.14C-1.55Al-0.2Si (wt pct) medium Mn sheet steel were evaluated. The extent of hot band annealing at 650 degrees C prior to cold rolling is shown to be an important parameter to consider in the development of processing histories leading to high strength-ductility combinations required for third-generation advanced high-strength steels.