Abstract
In this study, a microstructural investigation was conducted on the cracking phenonmenon occurring during hot rolling of Fe-23Mn high-manganese steels with different aluminium and carbon contents. Particular emphasis was placed on the phase stability of austenite and ferrite dependent on the chemical composition. An increase in the aluminum content promoted the formation of ferrite band structures which were easily deformed or cracked. In the steels containing high carbon contents of 0.4 wt.% or higher, on the other hand, the volume fraction and thickness of ferrite bands decreased and thus the cracking frequency was significantly reduced. Based on these findings, it is said that the microstructural evolution occurring during hot rolling of high-manganese steels with different aluminium and carbon contents plays an important role in the cracking phenomenon. To prevent the cracking, therefore, the formation of second phases such as ferrite should be minimized during the hot rolling by the appropriate control of the chemical composition and process parameters