Effect of prestrain and deformation temperature on the recrystallization behavior of steels microalloyed with niobium

TLDR: In this article, the authors focused on the effects of prestrain and deformation temperature on the rectrystallization behavior in these steels and proposed a criterion to predict the onset of recrystallisation.

Abstract: The evolution of microstructure during the hot working of steels microalloyed with Nb is governed by the recrystallization kinetics of austenite and the recrystallization-precipitation interaction. The present study focuses on the effects of prestrain and deformation temperature on the rectrystallization behavior in these steels. The extent of recrystallization is characterized by a softening parameter calculated from a series of interrupted plane strain compression tests carried out at different deformation temperatures and strain levels. The results indicate that at low temperatures, softening is caused by static recovery, while at higher temperatures, static recrystallization is the predominant mechanism. The recrystallization-stop temperature (T 5pct) and the recrystallization-limit temperature (T 95pct), marking the beginning and end of recrystallization, respectively, are determined as a function of strain. In order to achieve a homogeneous microstructure, finish rolling should be carried out outside the window of partial recrystallization (T 5pct<T<T 95pct), as determined in this study. The Nb(CN) precipitation kinetics have been calculated using a model proposed in an earlier work, and these results are used to estimate the precipitate pinning force under the given processing conditions. Based on these estimations, a criterion has been proposed to predict the onset of recrystallization. The predicted results are found to be in reasonably good agreement with the experimental measurements.