In general, the strength of materials rises with an increase in the strain rate, while the ductility decreases. However, the ductility of superaustenitic stainless steel increases significantly with an increase in the strain rate. This is associated with strain-induced F martensite transformation. The higher the strain rates applied, the more strain-induced, intersected F martensite is formed. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.