Steel showing twinning-induced plasticity processed by selective laser melting — An additively manufactured high performance material

• High-manganese steel has been processed by selective laser melting for the first time.
• The as-built high-manganese steel shows twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) effect.
• Strength and ductility are very similar to conventionally processed TWIP steel.
• No post treatment is needed for obtaining the extraordinary mechanical performance.
• Process–microstructure–mechanical property relationships are established.

Austenitic high-manganese steel showing twinning-induced plasticity has been processed by selective laser melting. In the as-built condition without any post-processing the steel shows excellent mechanical properties featuring high strength, good ductility and extraordinary strain hardening. Microstructural analyses revealed a fully austenitic microstructure upon processing exhibiting elongated grains and a pronounced texture. Deformation twins are observed upon tensile testing, proving that additive manufacturing is well suited for processing of high-manganese steels.