Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 September 2011
Steels with transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) offer an excellent combination of high strength and ductility. The transformation of meta-stable austenite into martensite during straining leads to strong local hardening and prevents early localization of strain. Therefore, the mechanical properties of TRIP steels, including the damage resistance depend to a significant extent on the stability of retained austenite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of texture on the stability of retained austenite. In order to compare the changes in both tension and compression the steel was deformed by a micro 3-point-bending device. The texture development upon bending was followed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique. Based on a simple analysis using the relation between face centered cube (FCC) and body centered cube (BCC) shear geometries theoretically expected changes of texture components due to deformation are proposed. Using the results of this analysis the observed changes of the austenite texture due to deformation could be distinguished from those due to transformation, by comparing the experimental results with the theoretically expected behavior. From this comparison, austenite grains with “Brass (B) {011} <211>” and “Goss (G) {110} <100>” texture components were found to transform into martensite much easier than differently oriented grains.