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.