Materials Science Forum Vol. 753

Abstract: The basic equations and mathematical framework of a mean-field model for recovery and recrystallization, the latter based on the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) approach, capable of handling time-dependent nucleation of recrystallization, is presented. Different approaches to account for time-dependent nucleation are discussed. A physically-based nucleation model where “nucleation” of recrystallization is brought about by “abnormal” subgrain growth seems most appealing, in terms of realism and mathematical convenience. Its implementation and effects on the recrystallization behavior are demonstrated through an example of back-annealing after cold deformation of a generic aluminium alloy case

Abstract: Theory for describing the conditions leading to dynamic recrystallization in FCC metals is introduced. The approach also describes stress-strain curves when this process occurs, and is unique in incorporating the effects of strain rate and temperature employing only physical parameters as input. The novelty of the approach stems from incorporating an incubation period in the equations describing the progress of dislocation density with strain; beyond such incubation dislocation free grains form. The energy barrier to ignite grain growth is expressed as a function of the strain energy stored on the material and a statistical entropy contribution due to the degrees of freedom available to a dislocation for annihilation. The incubation strain is obtained by performing an energy balance between the stored energy on the subgrain boundaries, the slip energy of boundary migration and the interfacial energy required for grain nucleation. The application of this work to pure Cu and Ni has lead to transition maps in temperature-strain rate space indicating the conditions for dynamic recrystallization occurrence.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to understand recrystallisation behaviour of a cold rolled AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel when annealed repetitively for short durations. The results were compared with isothermal annealing process. The evolving microstructure was examined by electron microscope. Electron backscattered diffraction was performed in a FEI NANO SEM 430 Field Emission Gun scanning electron microscope using an EDAX/TSL high-speed Digiview camera for Kikuchi pattern acquisition. Also progress of recrystallisation was assessed by hardness measurements at different annealing conditions. The study revealed distinct differences in the progress of recrystallisation of repeated and isothermally annealed specimens. Also the formation of ultrafine grained microstructure by repeated annealing process was noted.

Abstract: The ferrite recrystallization of a cold rolled dual phase steel with 0.09%C-2.06%Mn was investigated by means of isothermal treatments at the temperatures of 600, 650, 680 and 710°C as well as during continuous heating. From the isothermal treatments the softening kinetics was mathematically adjusted to the AJMK model and the activation energy associated with the ferrite recrystallization process was estimated as 310 ± 22 kJ/mol. Vickers hardness measurements in the ferrite were carried out on samples subjected to heating at a constant rate from room temperature and quenched at temperatures up to 760°C. The results allowed to observe three main stages of the ferrite softening: (1) from room temperature to about 500°C the ferrite hardness remains constant; (2) between 550°C and 640°C, the hardness systematically increases with temperature. This effect was interpreted as being caused by the increase of carbon dissolved in the ferrite, coming from the dissolution of the adjacent pearlite colonies; (3) above 660°C the ferrite hardness decreased rapidly with temperature due to the recrystallization process. Analysis by means of SEM and EBSD indicated that the recrystallization process started mostly in regions severely deformed, which were predominantly orientated along the γ fiber ( parallel to the sheet normal direction).

Abstract: One kind of high strength interstitial free steel sheets are annealed in a salt bath at 810 C for different times (1-30 s). The microstructure and recrystallized texture evolution during annealing are investigated using the optical microscopy and the Electron Back Scattered Diffraction technique. The results show that beginning and finishing of recrystallization are observed in the sample annealed at 810 C for 8 and for 20 s, respectively. The recrystallized grains nucleate in the order of ‹111›//ND, ‹110›//ND and ‹100›//ND. Recrystallized grains with ‹111›//ND orientation nucleate firstly in the ‹111›//ND deformed grains as well as at their boundaries and grow up by consuming the ‹111›//ND deformed grains at the initial stage of recrystallization. The ‹111›//ND recrystallized grains grow up by depleting the remained formed ‹100›//ND grains after the full consumption of the ‹111›//ND deformed grains. The overall recrystallization texture is mainly the ‹111›//ND component in the steel.

Abstract: The crystallographic and topographic anisotropies of columnar grains can exert strong influence on the subsequently hot rolled, cold rolled and annealed microstructures, textures and properties. The single type tilting grain boundaries among columnar grains will behave differently depending on grain orientations, rolling direction and stress state due to hot rolling and thus affect in return the microstructure and texture to some extents. This work aims to reveal the effects of grain boundaries and their neighboring grain orientation gradients in three types of Fe-3Si in differently processed samples using EBSD technique.

Abstract: Microstructure and texture evolution of a 60% cold-rolled Fe-22.3Mn-0.3C alloy during annealing at 550°C were studied. Shear bands, triple junctions and grain boundaries were found to be the preferential nucleation sites. The orientations of the nuclei from these sites were found to be mainly random, but also partly located in α-(//ND) and γ-fibers (//ND). After annealing, fine recrystallized grains formed with abundant annealing twins which had a strong impact on the texture development. The final texture was of low intensity and revealed a weak α-fiber.

Abstract: The recrystallization behaviors of 60% rolled Fe-wt.3%Si and Fe- wt.3%Si-Mn-S alloys containing coarsen MnS particles were observed in temperature range 600°C~1000°C. The activation energy for recrystallization was determined according to an Arrhenius type of relationship. It was found that the activation energy in the temperature range 600°C~750°C was much higher than that in the temperature range 850°C~1000°C. Thermo-mechanical calculation indicates that there are hardly precipitation behaviors of MnS particles in 600°C~1000°C. Fe₃C will precipitate below 650°C and Cottrell atmosphere will form just above 650°C, which induces dragging effect against the boundary migration during recrystallization and increase the activation energy. The activation energy determined was about 99kJ/mol or 217kJ/mol in Fe-3%Si alloy and 91kJ/mol or 220kJ/mol in Fe-3%Si-Mn-S alloy for the recrystallization in high temperature range of 850°C~1000°C or low temperature range of 600°C~750°C respectively.

Abstract: This work evaluates the evolution of the microstructure and its influence on the mechanical behavior of steel containing 17% Mn, 0.06% C, 2% Si, 3% Al, and 1% Ni after hot rolling at 1070°C, cold rolling with 44% reduction, and annealing at 700°C for different time periods. The resultant athermal, strain-induced martensite and austenite grains were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The volume fractions of the g, e, and α’ phases of martensite were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, dilatometry, and SEM-electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques. It was found that cold reduction results in the formation of more a’ martensite. The Vickers microhardness values were higher for the cold-rolled condition and lower for recrystallized samples, as expected. However, this reduction is counterbalanced by the formation of athermal e and a’ martensite during the cooling process. The sizes of the recrystallized grains change exponentially during their growth and remain within 1–3 mm. The yield and tensile strength of the hot-rolled steel reach values close to 250 and 800 MPa, respectively, with a total elongation of 40%, which demonstrates the high work-hardening rate of the steel.

Abstract: Dual phase (DP) structure formed by partial reversion from cold-deformed martensite was investigated to improve mechanical property of DP steel by grain refinement strengthening. A low carbon martensitic steel (0.15C-1.0Mn) was cold-rolled and then held just above A1 temperature to partially form austenite. In particular, the conditions of cold-rolling rate (0~60% reduction in thickness) and heating rate (0.083 and 100 K/s) were varied to understand their effects on the microstructural development of DP structure. Although the recrystallization has never occurred in undeformed martensite, cold-deformed martensite was more easily recrystallized before reversion with increasing rolling rate and lowering heating rate. Then, the matrix of DP structure was changed from tempered martensite to recrystallized ferrite, which had a large influence on the distribution of fresh martensite transformed from reversed austenite. The higher rolling and heating rates resulted in the finer DP structure, leading to a large improvement in strength level.