Fe-Mn(Al, Si) TWIP steel – strengthening characteristics and weldability

Twinning Induced Plasticity steel, or TWIP steel, has had increased interest in recent years from various industry sectors. This is due to it being lightweight, strong, and ductile; which are all properties that are useful in the automotive and aerospace industries. These steels potentially can offer lighter weight vehicles and parts with increased strength and other mechanical properties. This combination could offer greater fuel efficiency and performance while at the same time improving the safety features of the vehicle. This steel is characterised by being a high alloy steel, specifically having a high manganese content. It also has a fully austenitic microstructure at room temperature, which is a unique characteristic. But, for TWIP steel to be useful in various industrial sectors, it must have good weldability. This paper deals with the description of the strengthening due to the cold rolling on experimental heats of manganese steel with TRIP/TWIP effect. Impacts on microstructure, yield strength and tensile strength are described. Also, the weldability of experimental TWIP steel by studying the properties of weld joints after laser welding is described. (paper)