Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination

Yindong Shi; Aojie Zhang; Lina Wang; Tao Liu; Xiliang Zhang; Xinrui Yang; Zhenguo Xing; Yuntian Zhu

doi:10.1016/j.msea.2025.148383

Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination

Yindong Shi
, Aojie Zhang
, Lina Wang
, Tao Liu
, Xiliang Zhang^*
, Xinrui Yang
, Zhenguo Xing
, Yuntian Zhu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Global gradient structures (GGS) from core to surface processed by twisting have been reported to possess exceptional strength-ductility combinations. However, it is hard to apply this technique to sheet (plate) samples because of their lower axial symmetry. Here, we report a novel 3D-GGS produced in a 304 stainless steel (304ss) sheet using cyclic twisting. The 3D-GGS 304ss sheets exhibited much better strength-ductility combinations than GGS 304ss rods due to their more pronounced heterostructural effects. During the tensile testing, a unique transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect was activated in which reverse martensitic transformation (α′ → γ) was first activated, then transited to forward martensitic transformation (γ → α′) after some strain. Both the reverse and forward TRIP effects contributed to higher ductility. In addition, the 3D-structures also produced hetero-deformation induced (HDI) work hardening to retain ductility. This work developed a practical approach to constructing 3D-GGS to enhance integrated performances of metal sheets and components without changing their geometries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Original language	English
Article number	148383
Journal	Materials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing
Volume	935
Online published	23 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2025.148383
Publication status	Published - Jul 2025

Funding

This work is supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFA1200202), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11847130, 51874114), and the Hebei Natural Science Foundation (No. E2024402023, E2024402012).

Research Keywords

Global 3D-gradient-structure
HDI work hardening
Stainless steel sheet
Strength-ductility combination
Unique TRIP effect

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10.1016/j.msea.2025.148383

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title = "Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination",

abstract = "Global gradient structures (GGS) from core to surface processed by twisting have been reported to possess exceptional strength-ductility combinations. However, it is hard to apply this technique to sheet (plate) samples because of their lower axial symmetry. Here, we report a novel 3D-GGS produced in a 304 stainless steel (304ss) sheet using cyclic twisting. The 3D-GGS 304ss sheets exhibited much better strength-ductility combinations than GGS 304ss rods due to their more pronounced heterostructural effects. During the tensile testing, a unique transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect was activated in which reverse martensitic transformation (α′ → γ) was first activated, then transited to forward martensitic transformation (γ → α′) after some strain. Both the reverse and forward TRIP effects contributed to higher ductility. In addition, the 3D-structures also produced hetero-deformation induced (HDI) work hardening to retain ductility. This work developed a practical approach to constructing 3D-GGS to enhance integrated performances of metal sheets and components without changing their geometries. {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier B.V.",

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author = "Yindong Shi and Aojie Zhang and Lina Wang and Tao Liu and Xiliang Zhang and Xinrui Yang and Zhenguo Xing and Yuntian Zhu",

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journal = "Materials Science \& Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing",

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Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination. / Shi, Yindong; Zhang, Aojie; Wang, Lina et al.
In: Materials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing, Vol. 935, 148383, 07.2025.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination

AU - Shi, Yindong

AU - Zhang, Aojie

AU - Wang, Lina

AU - Liu, Tao

AU - Zhang, Xiliang

AU - Yang, Xinrui

AU - Xing, Zhenguo

AU - Zhu, Yuntian

PY - 2025/7

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N2 - Global gradient structures (GGS) from core to surface processed by twisting have been reported to possess exceptional strength-ductility combinations. However, it is hard to apply this technique to sheet (plate) samples because of their lower axial symmetry. Here, we report a novel 3D-GGS produced in a 304 stainless steel (304ss) sheet using cyclic twisting. The 3D-GGS 304ss sheets exhibited much better strength-ductility combinations than GGS 304ss rods due to their more pronounced heterostructural effects. During the tensile testing, a unique transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect was activated in which reverse martensitic transformation (α′ → γ) was first activated, then transited to forward martensitic transformation (γ → α′) after some strain. Both the reverse and forward TRIP effects contributed to higher ductility. In addition, the 3D-structures also produced hetero-deformation induced (HDI) work hardening to retain ductility. This work developed a practical approach to constructing 3D-GGS to enhance integrated performances of metal sheets and components without changing their geometries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

AB - Global gradient structures (GGS) from core to surface processed by twisting have been reported to possess exceptional strength-ductility combinations. However, it is hard to apply this technique to sheet (plate) samples because of their lower axial symmetry. Here, we report a novel 3D-GGS produced in a 304 stainless steel (304ss) sheet using cyclic twisting. The 3D-GGS 304ss sheets exhibited much better strength-ductility combinations than GGS 304ss rods due to their more pronounced heterostructural effects. During the tensile testing, a unique transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect was activated in which reverse martensitic transformation (α′ → γ) was first activated, then transited to forward martensitic transformation (γ → α′) after some strain. Both the reverse and forward TRIP effects contributed to higher ductility. In addition, the 3D-structures also produced hetero-deformation induced (HDI) work hardening to retain ductility. This work developed a practical approach to constructing 3D-GGS to enhance integrated performances of metal sheets and components without changing their geometries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

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KW - HDI work hardening

KW - Stainless steel sheet

KW - Strength-ductility combination

KW - Unique TRIP effect

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DO - 10.1016/j.msea.2025.148383

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 0921-5093

VL - 935

JO - Materials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing

JF - Materials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing

M1 - 148383

ER -

Global 3D-gradient-structured steel sheets with superior strength-ductility combination

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