Effect of uniaxial compression on the microstructural evolution and magnetic properties of 20Mn23AlV non-magnetic structural steel

In this study, to evaluate the stability of the micro phase in the non-magnetic steel, the 20Mn23AlV high-manganese non-magnetic structural steel was compressed at room temperature. The research focused on analyzing the mechanical and magnetic properties of the compressed samples under conditions of substantial deformation. The results show that the Vickers hardness of the high-manganese non-magnetic structural steel exhibits a significant increase during deformation, primarily attributed to the formation of numerous deformation twins. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the exclusive presence of austenite phases, with no other phases detected. Additionally, when assessing the volume fractions of α′-martensite, calculations from hysteresis loops reveal values of approximately ∼0.03 % and ∼0.09 % for deformations at 56 % and 70 %, respectively. Remarkably, even with such minimal amounts of ferromagnetic α′-martensite generated, the steel still adheres to the criteria for non-magnetic steel usage. To further elucidate the formation of deformation twins and potential nucleation sites for α′-martensite, we conducted observations of microstructures under varying deformation conditions using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). [Display omitted]