Twinning models in self-consistent texture simulations of TWIP steels

The high work hardening rate and ductility of high manganese austenitic steels is mainly attributed to the strong twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) effect found in the material. With a low stacking fault energy, mechanical twinning acts as a competitive mechanism to the more common dislocation glide. In order to understand the micromechanical behaviour of such steels, especially with respect to texture and anisotropy, constitutive models for twinning which account for the TWIP effect both in orientation changes and plastic behaviour are required. Using a self-consistent texture model, we evaluate two twin modelling approaches in view of prediction of crystallographic texture. Tension experiments were carried out on a rolled TWIP sheet and the textures compared with the simulated results. The evolution of twin volume fractions from the two models is also evaluated.