Effects of Manganese on Microstructure and Work-hardening Behavior of Low-carbon Lath Martensitic Steel

Microstructures of lath martensite have been studied intensively to understand their effect on the mechanical properties of steels. It is, however, said that the relation between microstructural factors and mechanical properties has not been clarified yet. The plastic deformation behavior of fully lath martensitic steels has become important because they are applied to automobile body structures such as bumper reinforcement. It is, therefore, important to understand the microstructural factors that control the work-hardening behavior of fully martensitic steels. Although we could not clarify differences in microstructural factors when manganese (Mn) concentrations of steels are altered, the work-hardening of 8 mass%Mn martensitic steel is much higher than that of 5 mass%Mn martensitic steel. It was found using the digital image correlation (DIC) method, that the strain concentration due to the in-lath-plane slip deformation is more developed in 5 mass%Mn martensitic steel than 8 mass%Mn martensitic steel. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations revealed the existence of two types of fine twins inside laths. Long twins that are parallel to the longitude of the lath are observed both in 5 mass%Mn and 8 mass%Mn martensitic steels. Short twins that partially cross the laths, on the other hand, can only be found in 8 mass%Mn martensitic steel. Since twin boundaries are high angle boundaries, the short twins are supposed to prevent the development of in-lath-plane slip deformation. This seems to be the mechanism of higher work-hardening behavior observed in 8 mass%Mn martensitic steel.