Mn partitioning during the intercritical annealing of ultrafine-grained 6% Mn transformation-induced plasticity steel

The partitioning of Mn to austenite formed during the intercritical annealing of an ultrafine-grained 6% Mn transformation-induced plasticity steel was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy and dilatometry. The partitioning of Mn to ultrafine austenite grain was observed during annealing of cold-rolled martensite where no prior partitioning of alloying elements had occurred. The calculated volume contraction related to the austenite formation and the associated alloying element partitioning as verified by the Mn partitioning during the intercritical annealing was compared with the measured result.