A method is disclosed for producing components from an austenitic lightweight steel which is metastable in its initial state, by forming of a sheet, a circuit board or a pipe in one or more steps, exhibiting a temperature-dependent TRIP and/or TWIP effect during forming. To obtain a component with, in particular, high toughness, the forming is carried out at a temperature above room temperature, at 40 to 160° C., which avoids the TRIP/TWIP effect, and to achieve in particular high component strength, the forming is carried out at a temperature below room temperature, at −65 to 0° C., which enhances the TRIP/TWIP effect.