A model to predict the evolution of dislocation density following hot deformation was presented in this article. The model was validated by stress relaxation experiments on austenite at various temperatures. It was found that the activation energy for self-diffusion was the rate-controlling parameter determining the evolution of dislocation density, and hence the recovery rate. A methodology to control the softening experienced by high-temperature alloys was proposed.

Predicting the Evolution of Dislocation Density Following Hot Deformation. M.Huang, A.Perlade, P.E.J.Rivera-Díaz-del-Castillo: Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2011, 91[6], 387-93