Landau theory of martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn-Si based alloys

Considering the features of martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn-Si based alloys, the Landau theory is established by introducing the density of stacking faults as a new order parameter η and the corresponding free energy function. By using such an order parameter, the stacking fault mechanism of the nucleation and growth for the γ(fcc) → ε (hcp) martensitic transformation can be reasonably explained, and a further detailed mechanism is proposed. The stacking faults are generated and overlapped in an irregular form at the beginning and then becoming regular to create some transition structures till a stable phase forms at a certain temperature. The importance of the interface soliton is to complete the transformations into various structures of martensite but not the twinned one. The thermodynamics of fcc→hcp transformation and those between different transition structures are described by the free energy function established in the present note.