Gene

Quantum mechanics

Transformation (genetics)

Deformation (meteorology)

Composite number

Plasticity

Metallurgy

Materials science

Ductility (Earth science)

Biochemistry

Carbon fibers

Creep

Quenching (fluorescence)

Volume fraction

Physics

Alloy

Microstructure

Fluorescence

Austenite

Composite material

Diffusionless transformation

Bainite

Chemistry

Stacking-fault energy

Martensite

Scientific Reports

Ultrahigh strength and good ductility are obtained for two low-alloy transformation-induced-plasticity steels fabricated by the quenching and partitioning (Q&amp;P) processing, respectively. Compared to 0.19 wt.% C steel in which γ → α′-martensite transformation is the dominant mechanism under deformation, the relatively high C content of austenite in 0.47 wt.% C steel is responsible for the transformation from γ to ε-martensite, suggesting that the transformation is not solely determined by the stacking fault energy. The study shows that during the Q&amp;P process, strong and ductile steels with specific transformation procedures can be obtained by adjusting volume fraction and carbon content of the retained austenite.

Carbon content-tuned martensite transformation in low-alloy TRIP steels