Phase transformations in an Fe-7.8Al-29.5Mn-l.5Si-1.05C alloy have been investigated by means of optical microscopy and transmission
electron microscopy. In the as-quenched condition, a high density of fine (Fe,Mn)
3AlC carbides could be observed within the austenite matrix. When the as-quenched alloy was aged at temperatures ranging from
550 °C to 825 °C, a
γ → coarse (Fe,Mn)
3AlC carbide + DO
3 reaction occurred by a cellular precipitation on the
γ/γ grain boundaries and twin boundaries. Both of the observations are quite different from those observed by other workers in
Fe-Al-Mn-C alloys. In their studies, it was found that the as-quenched microstructure was austenite phase
(γ), and (Fe,Mn)
3AlC carbides could only be observed within the austenite matrix in the aged alloys. In addition, a
γ →
α (ferrite) + coarse (Fe,Mn)
3AlC carbide reaction or a
γ →
α + coarse (Fe,Mn)
3AlC carbide +
β-Mn reaction was found to occur on the
γ/γ grain boundary in the aged Fe-Al-Mn-C alloys.