AbstractThe true stress–strain curve of Cu–Fe16Mn0.6C twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel was studied with a compression test on Thermecmastor‐Z thermal simulator at a temperature range of 850–1150°C and strain rate range of 0.03–30 s−1. The influence of deformation temperature and strain rate on high‐temperature flow stress and critical recrystallization behavior of the TWIP steel was investigated. It is concluded that the peak flow stress of Cu–Fe16Mn0.6C under high‐temperature deformation decreases as the temperature increases but increases with the strain rate. Meanwhile at strain rate of 0.03 and 30 s−1 obvious peak stresses are observed which demonstrates the dynamic recrystallization. The constitutive equation of Cu–Fe16Mn0.6C under high temperature deformation is calculated by linear regression method. The activation energy is 505 kJ mol−1. The relationship between critical strain of dynamic revrystallization and Zener–Hollomon parameter is determined by the curve between strain‐hardening rate and flow stress.