LAUSR

: Tensile properties of the Fe–1.44C–8Mn–1.9Al (mass %) steel with a fully austenitic microstructure, obtained by rapid quenching from the austenite range, was determined at room temperature. Tensile tests were performed using specimens prepared in two different routes involving an exchanged sequence of machining and heat treatment as the last processing steps prior to tensile tests. In spite of the occurrence of deformation twinning, total tensile elongations in both processing routes remained below 18%. Abrupt stress drops during tensile tests suggested the occurrence of discontinuities in tensile specimens. Detailed examination of the fracture surface indicated a mixed intergranular–transgranular fracture mode. Furthermore, a high density of surface cracks was observed near the outer surface in the gauge section of fractured tensile specimens. The origin of surface cracks could not be identified. The coincidence of surface cracks with the grain boundaries, especially those nearly perpendicular to the tensile direction, is thought to be responsible for the accelerated grain boundary decohesion and the premature fracture of tensile specimens.