Shape　memory　properties　of　Fe-18.1Mn-5.5Si-0.32C　(wt%)　shape　memory　alloy　have　been　investigated　and　compared　with　those　of　Fe-Mn-Si　shape　memory　alloy.　The　results　show　that　the　recovery　ratio　and　recovery　stress　of　the　Fe-Mn-Si　alloy　are　remarkably　improved　by　the　addition　of　carbon.　The　recoverable　strain　of　the　Fe-Mn-Si　alloy　is　greater　than　5%.　However,　carbon　delays　the　degradation　of　shape　memory　effect.　Carbon　strengthens　the　austenite　by　solution　hardening.　The　strengthening　austenite　prevents　the　permanent　slip　and　favors　the　stress-induced　γ-Ε　transformation　and　it　reverse　transformation.　This　is　beneficial　to　the　shape　memory　effects.