Hot ductility behavior of a Fe–0.3C–9Mn–2Al medium Mn steel

The hot ductility of a Fe–0.3C–9Mn–2Al medium Mn steel was investigated using a Gleeble3800 thermo-mechanical simulator. Hot tensile tests were conducted at different temperatures (600–1300°C) under a constant strain rate of 4 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The fracture behavior and mechanism of hot ductility evolution were discussed. Results showed that the hot ductility decreased as the temperature was decreased from 1000°C. The reduction of area (RA) decreased rapidly in the specimens tested below 700°C, whereas that in the specimen tested at 650°C was lower than 65%. Mixed brittle–ductile fracture feature is reflected by the coexistence of cleavage step, intergranular facet, and dimple at the surface. The fracture belonged to ductile failure in the specimens tested between 720–1000°C. Large and deep dimples could delay crack propagation. The change in average width of the dimples was in positive proportion with the change in RA. The wide austenite–ferrite intercritical temperature range was crucial for the hot ductility of medium Mn steel. The formation of ferrite film on austenite grain boundaries led to strain concentration. Yield point elongation occurred at the austenite–ferrite intercritical temperature range during the hot tensile test.