Effect of the Removal of a Surface Layer on the Mechanical Properties and the Static Stress–Strain Curves of an Austenitic–Martensitic Sheet TRIP Steel

Abstract

The influence of the removal of a surface layer with a high strain-induced martensite content on the mechanical properties and the shape of stress–strain curves of austenitic–martensitic VNS9-Sh TRIP steel is studied by room-temperature tests. The removal of a surface layer 5–20 μm thick by electropolishing is shown not to decrease the mechanical properties of this steel and not to change the shape of its stress–strain curves, which have a developed yield plateau. This effect can be related to the presence of a long (up to 1%) stage of microyield in this steel. The existence of a yield plateau in the stress–strain curves of VNS9-Sh steel in the initial state and after the removal of a surface layer can also be explained by the simultaneous operation of three plastic deformation mechanisms, namely, slip, twinning, and martensitic transformation, during deformation.