Characterization of Dynamic Deformation and Failure of Novel Light Weight Steel Alloy

The need for new weight-saving high-strength materials has been increasing in recent years. The demand for fuel efficiency in the auto industry has driven research in the development of lightweight materials and structures while maintaining crash worthiness and safety. The constraints on vehicle weight is also felt in the defense industry. The need to maintain or reduce weight while enhancing protection and durability is a critical goal for the DoD. Fe-Mn-Al is a family of alloys which have been identified as a potential replacement for high strength structural steel such as RHA. Fe-Mn-Al has shown similar properties and performance with 10–15% reduction in weight when compared to RHA (Howell, Microstructural Influence on Dynamic Properties of Age Hardenable FeMnAl Alloys, 2009).