Small-angle neutron scattering analysis of Mn–C clusters in high-manganese 18Mn–0.6C steel

• Show Mn-C clustering as function of strain in 18Mn-0.6C TWIP steel.
• Determine the size, number, and volume fraction of clusters quantitatively.
• Compare the clustering behavior at 25 and 100 °C.

Nanometer-scale particles (Mn–C clusters) were analyzed quantitatively using small-angle neutron scattering in 18Mn–0.6C (wt.%) austenite high-manganese steel. The size, number, and volume fraction of the particles were determined as a function of strain (0, 5, 15, 30, 45, 50%) at different temperatures (25 and 100 °C). The diameter of the cluster ranges from 2 to 14 nm in the matrix. The total volume fraction of the cluster significantly increases from 2.7 × 10− 6 to 8.7 × 10− 6 as the strain increases. Such clustering phenomenon is correlated to the serration behavior under loading in high-manganese steels.