Deformation Characteristics and Recrystallization Response of a 9310 Steel Alloy

Abstract

The flow behavior and recrystallization response of a 9310 steel alloy deformed in the ferrite temperature range were studied in this work. Samples were compressed under various conditions of strain (0.6, 0.8 and multi-axial), strain rate (10−4 seconds−1 to 10−1 seconds−1) and temperature [811 K to 1033 K (538 °C to 760 °C)] using a Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator. Deformation was characterized by both qualitative and quantitative means, using standard microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis and flow stress modeling. The results indicate that deformation is primarily accommodated through dynamic recovery in sub-grain formation. EBSD analysis shows a continuous increase in sub-grain boundary misorientation with increasing strain, ultimately producing recrystallized grains from the sub-grains at high strains. This suggests that a sub-grain rotation recrystallization mechanism predominates in this temperature range. Analyses of the results reveal a decreasing mean dynamically recrystallized grain size with increasing Zener-Hollomon parameter, and an increasing recrystallized fraction with increasing strain.