Abstract

In this study, a cold-rolled Fe-0.01C-21.3Mn–3Al–3Si (wt.%) TWIP steel was undergone a fast-heating (FH) annealing at high temperatures of 1000–1200 °C and 2 s soaking time for grain refinement and controlling the phase structure and thereby to enhance the mechanical properties. For comparison, recrystallization annealing was conducted at lower temperatures of 650 and 700 °C for 180 s. The microstructural evolution of the FH annealed steel was surveyed using electron backscatter diffraction. The strain hardening behavior of the FH structures was studied by tensile tests. The tensile flow curves were also predicted by a phenomenological model based on the evolution of dislocation density during deformation. Fine mainly austenitic structure was promoted by FH annealing at 1000 and 1100 °C. At the lower temperatures of 650 and 700 °C, bands of finer grains, indicative of some inhomogeneity, were evident in the mostly austenitic recrystallized microstructure. However, at 1200 °C, the structure consisted of coarse austenite and ferrite with almost equal fractions. The FH annealed structures exhibited a remarkable improvement in the mechanical properties (a better combination of yield and tensile strength and ductility) compared to conventional long annealing cycles.