On the effect of silicon and phosphorus during the precipitation of Κ-carbide in Fe-Mn-Al-C alloys

Implementation of lightweight high manganese and aluminum steels for use in high energy absorbing applications requires a detailed knowledge of how alloying additions and impurities affect age hardening and high strain rate fracture properties. Dynamic fracture toughness is an important design criterion but has not been reported previously in these alloys. In addition, previous studies have shown that silicon and phosphorus increased the strength and aged hardness; however, the mechanism was unknown. This research mainly focuses on the effect of silicon and phosphorus on the precipitation of Κ-carbide and alloy partitioning during aging. Short range ordering, SRO, of Fe-Al-C into relative atomic positions described by the E2₁ superlattice structure preceded and occurred concurrent to spinodal decomposition. Short range diffusion of phosphorus increased the kinetics of ordering resulting in a decrease in the time required for subsequent spinodal decomposition and an increase the amplitude of carbon concentration with time. Silicon increased the strength and hardness as a result of increased carbon partitioning into the Κ-carbide during aging. Dynamic fracture toughness was found to depend upon aluminum and carbon. Increasing the amount of solid solution carbon increased the dynamic fracture toughness in solution treated specimens. However, increasing carbon in aged specimens increased the amount of Κ-carbide and produced brittle fracture. Additions of aluminum from three to nine weight percent decreased toughness regardless of the heat treatment. Dynamic fracture toughness was a strong function of A1N content. A good combination of high strength and dynamic toughness with a corresponding density reduction of 10 to 12% is obtained with aluminum additions between 6 and 7% and carbon below 1.2% --Abstract, Page iv