Evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties during solution treatment of a Ti-V-Mo-containing high‑manganese cryogenic steel

The effect of solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a high‑manganese (Mn) twin-induced plastic (TWIP) cryogenic steel that was alloyed from elemental titanium (Ti), vanadium (V) and molybdenum (Mo) was investigated by a variety of techniques such as microstructural characterization, room tensile testing and − 196 °C impact testing. The austenite grain size grew slowly with an increase of the solutionizing temperature (ST). The relatively weak effect of the ST on the austenite grain size is attributed to the superior thermal stability and coarsening resistance of the (Ti, V, Mo)C precipitate, which hindered austenite grain growth. An increase in ST improved the low-temperature toughness (LTT) significantly and decreased the strain hardening rate (SHR), but had no significant effect on the yield strength. The Hall-Petch strengthening coefficient for yield strength was small, and was estimated to be 153 MPa μm0.5. Undissolved large-sized chromium (Cr) carbide can deteriorate the LTT significantly. Because of its excellent mechanical properties, high-Mn steel that was alloyed by elemental Ti, V and Mo can be used to manufacture storage tanks for liquefied natural gas.