A TRIP-steel matrix composite with 5 vol.% Mg-PSZ particles was tested under compressive load at 0.001 s− 1 and 200 s− 1. Test temperatures of − 40 °C and room temperature were used. Despite adiabatic heating at 200 s− 1 up to 28% α′-martensite were formed at − 40 °C. Due to the particle reinforcement, the specific energy absorption was kept almost constant at both testing temperatures.