Enhancing strength and ductility in heterolamellar medium-Mn steel through bamboo-like microstructure design
Chao Ding, Gang Niu, Zhihui Zhang, Enmao Wang, Xinpan Yu, Huibin Wu
Abstract
Nature has long inspired technological innovations, fostering the rapidly developing field of bionics. Inspired by the microstructure of bamboo, we have developed a bamboo-like structure for steel. This novel steel achieves a tensile strength exceeding 1200 MPa and a uniform elongation nearing 68%, resulting in a product of strength and uniform elongation up to 83 GPa·%. The high strength of the steel is primarily attributed to its ultra-fine lamellar grains. Additionally, the graded occurrence of multiple deformation mechanisms collectively maintains its exceptional work-hardening capability. This study presents a new approach to enhancing the performance of medium-Mn steels.