The microstructure and texture evolutions in a microalloyed high Mn austenitic steel during dynamic
impact loading was investigated. Microstructural investigations confirmed heterogeneous deformation
leading to formation of adiabatic shear band which align parallel to the impact direction. Electron
backscatter diffraction analysis indicated the formation of athermal epsilon martensite and ά-martensite
within the shear bands. The thermally induced epsilon martensite follows Shoji–Nishiyama crystallographic orientation relationship with parent austenite phase, while ά-martensite shows Burgers
relationship with epsilon martensite. The plastic deformation within the austenite phase is characterized
by slip and mechanical twinning alongside with martensite formation in regions away from shear bands.
The austenite texture outside shear band regions showed characteristic near IDJ〈110〉 orientation (ID:
impact direction), whereas the regions inside shear band exhibit both near IDJ〈100〉 and IDJ〈110〉
orientations.