Twinning-assisted environmental cracking: a new fracture mechanism for the crash-resistant twinning-induced plasticity steels

This article presents a novel finding of the role of twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) in environment-assisted cracking (EAC). TWIP alloys are becoming increasingly attractive for remarkable combination of strength and ductility. EAC of a high-manganese TWIP steel was investigated in a passivating environment, to understand the combined role of the frequent localized deformation due to dynamic twinning and quick establishment of surface oxide layer. Here, we show a new mechanism where localized formation of twin bands facilitates EAC.