Papers by Author: Chad W. Sinclair

Abstract: The kinetics of static recrystallization in cold rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet tends to slow drastically over the last 10-20% of recrystallization. This has its origins in both the microstructure (deformed grain shape, precipitates) and in the local deformation texture. In this work we have sought to provide a physical explanation for the slow last stages of recrystallization through a texture dependent JMAK model which is informed by the microstructure of the partially recrystallized microstructure. The geometrical assumptions made in developing this JMAK model have been compared to phase field simulations using experimental observations as the source of their starting configuration.

Abstract: There has recently been significant interest in the problem of variant selection in the strain-induced transformation of austenite to α’-martensite in metastable austenitic stainless steels. Previous work has highlighted our poor understanding of the mechanisms leading to this transformation, in particular the role that the macroscopic stress plays in the transformation. In this work, we have sought to perform detailed experiments aimed at developing a statistical grain level view of variant selection in one particular grade of austenitic stainless steel. EBSD measurements made over a large number of grains as well as macroscopic texture measurements made at different levels of imposed plastic strain allow for comparison against various approaches for predicting variant selection based on the Patel-Cohen interaction energy.

Abstract: Austenitic steels can exhibit a complex transformation sequence during deformation. Indeed, the austenitic phase transforms first into bands of ε (HCP) martensite. This transformation is then followed by the formation of α’ (BCC) martensite. In this study, the crystallography of the transformation together with the occurrence of variant selection is studied at the scale of individual austenite grains. About ten prior austenite grains deformed at different strain levels in uniaxial tension were analysed by means of EBSD techniques. One of the classical approaches to predict the variant selection phenomenon is based on the calculation of the interaction energy between the macroscopic stress and the shape deformation associated with the formation of the product phase. The formation of the α’ variants was observed to lead to a very strong variant selection that cannot be fully explained by energetic criterion. It is suggested that the crystallography of the transformation sequence can account for the unexpected variants.

Abstract: Molecular dynamics and molecular statics have been used to explore the transition between the partially Zener ordered state of carbon in octahedral sites. In this communication we have specifically used isothermal molecular dynamics with a recent Fe-C EAM potential to examine the observed high temperature transition from the Zener ordered state where carbon resides on only 1/3 of all octahedral sites to a state where all octahedral sites are available for occupation. It is shown that the Zener ordered state begins to disorder at temperatures well below the transition temperature and that this disordering occurs without any spatial correlation.