Dynamic and post-dynamic recrystallization under hot, cold and severe plastic deformation conditions

A review of dynamic recrystallization phenomena in metallic materials

The application of automated Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope, to the quantitative analysis of grain and subgrain structures is discussed and compared with conventional methods of quantitative metallography. It is shown that the technique has reached a state of maturity such that linescans and maps can routinely be obtained and analysed using commercially available equipment and that EBSD in a Field Emission SEM (FEGSEM) allows quantitative analysis of grain/subgrains as small as ∼0.2 μm. EBSD can often give more accurate measurements of grain and subgrain size than conventional imaging methods, often in comparable times. Subgrain/cell measurements may be made more easily than in the TEM although the limited angular resolution of EBSD may be problematic in some cases. Additional information available from EBSD and not from conventional microscopy, gives a new dimension to quantitative metallography. Texture and its correlation with grain or subgrain size, shape and position are readily measured. Boundary misorientations, which are readily obtainable from EBSD, enable the distribution of boundary types to be determined and CSL boundaries can be identified and measured. The spatial distribution of Stored Energy in a sample and the amount of Recrystallization may also be measured by EBSD methods.

Review Grain and subgrain characterisation by electron backscatter diffraction

Recrystallization mechanisms during friction stir welding/processing of aluminum alloys

Microstructural analysis by advanced and automated methods has allowed deformation microstructures to be quantified in terms of common structural parameters. This quantification has shown for a variety of materials and processing conditions that the microstructural evolution follows a universal pattern of grain subdivision from the macroscale to the nanometer scale. This microstructural evolution has been described empirically and in theoretical models based on general principles for the formation of dislocation structures during plastic deformation by slip. The similarity between the behavior of materials undergoing different deformation patterns forms the basis for future research and development encompassing traditional as well as new materials and processes.

New discoveries in deformed metals

Methods of deforming metals to large strains are reviewed and the process of equal channel angular extrusion is analysed in detail. The development of microstructure during large strain deformation is discussed, and it is concluded that the main criterion for the formation of a sub–micron grain structure is the generation of a sufficiently large fraction (> 0.7) of high–angle grain boundary during the deformation process. For aluminium alloys, it is found that a low–temperature anneal is required to convert the deformed microstructure into an equi–axed grain structure. The material, microstructural and processing factors that influence the formation of such fine–grain microstructures are discussed, and the stability of these microstructures at elevated temperatures is considered.

LM Brown

Papers

Developing stable fine-grain microstructures by large strain deformation - Discussion