Partial Inverse Grain Size Dependence of Strength in High Mn Steels Microalloyed With Nb

Two steels without and with Nb addition were chosen to investigate the effects of Nb on the microstructures and the mechanical properties of Fe-Mn-Al-Si steels. The results revealed that Nb refined the grains markedly and both TRIP and TWIP effects occurred during deformation process. The Nb containing steel possesses higher yield strength and much lower tensile strength, the latter being explained by the suppression of TRIP effect due to the increase of stacking fault energy. This indicates grain refining is secondary for strengthening of steels when TRIP or TWIP effect exists during the deformation of low carbon and high Mn steels.