Evolution of texture during laser surface treatment of an austenitic manganese steel

This work describes the evolution of microstructure and texture of an austenitic manganese steel (1.34C-13.6Mn-0.45Si-Fe, wt.%) during surface modification using a high power diode laser. Strong (002) texture has been observed on the surface of the steel with increase in interaction time. It has been found that columnar type dendrites are responsible for the strong texture which is favorably grown in the 〈001〉 direction perpendicular to the substrate plane. The growth of dendrites with specific crystallographic direction is governed by the interfacial energy anisotropy and thermal gradient direction.