Influence of addition elements on the stacking-fault energy and mechanical properties of an austenitic Fe–Mn–C steel

We present a thermochemical model of the stacking-fault energy (SFE) in the Fe–Mn–C system with few percent of Cu, Cr, Al and Si in addition. Aluminium strongly increases the SFE, contrary to chromium, while the effect of silicon is more complex. Copper also increases the SFE, but strongly decreases the Néel temperature. The SFE is the relevant parameter that controls mechanical twinning, which is known to be at the origin of the excellent mechanical properties of these steels. Using this model, copper containing Fe–Mn–C grades were elaborated with SFE below 18mJ/m2, in the range where ɛ-martensite platelets form instead of microtwins during plastic deformation. This substitution of deformation modes, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, does not significantly damage the mechanical properties, as long as the SFE is greater than 12mJ/m2, which avoids the formation of α′-martensite.