Martensitic transformation in metastable iron alloys monitored by neutron diffraction

Harjo, S.   ; Kawasaki, Takuro   ; Tsuchida, Noriyuki*; Morooka, Satoshi  ; Aizawa, Kazuya  

Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) phenomenon is paid attention because it gives a high work-hardening rate and a large uniform elongation as a result of deformation induced martensitic transformation during plastic loading. The deformation induced martensitic transformations in most metastable iron alloys occur after macro-yielding during deformation at room temperature (RT). There are arguments to explain whether the martensitic transformation during plastic loading is controlled by strain (the strain-induced transformation) or stress (the stress-assisted transformation). In this paper, we tried to observe the trigger of deformation induced martensitic transformation during tensile deformation by in situ tensile loading neutron diffraction (ND) of metastable iron alloys. In situ ND measurements during deformation have been confirmed as powerful tools to understand the strengthening mechanism during deformation of multiphase alloys.