Abstract: Taking the characteristic of work hardening of the material for high manganese steel as an object of research, it probed into the hardening mechanism and methods of improving property of high manganese steel.By analyzing the chemical component of high manganese steel and the effect of each element on steel, it shows that the contents of Manganese (Mn) and Carbon (C) elements and the rate of Mn/C have important roles on the plasticity, toughness and work-hardening ability of high manganese steel.The high manganese steel has high strength and toughness when the content of Mn is 10 %～14 %, appearing high effect of deformation hardening.The abrasive resistance is high when contents of C is 0.9 %～1.4 %, and the rate of Mn/C is 10 or so.Deformation-hardening mechanism was researched by analyzing the geometric model of crystals shear-slippage on the surface.Results show that the energy of strong plastic deformation could make the surface structure transform from austenite into martensite phase, which improves the hardness and abrasion performance.Negative effects of big crystals and carbide structure on steel can be improved by proper controlling processes of smelting and heat treatment.

Key words: high manganese steel, hardening mechanism, plastic deformation, modification