Dynamic Recrystallization of Ferrite in a Low Carbon Steel with the (α+θ) Duplex Microstructures

Abstract

Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of ferrite in a low carbon steel with the (α+θ) duplex microstructures was investigated using hot compression tests in combination with SEM, TEM and EBSD, and the effect of the size of cementite particles was analyzed. The results indicated that during hot deformation of the low carbon steel DRX of ferrite took place and the increase in the average size of cementite particles was of benefit to DRX. The formation of DRX grains was attributed to particle stimulated nucleation (PSN), by the well development of the subgrain near cementite particles. At the beginning of hot deformation, DRX grains were mainly formed near cementite particles with the size of about 1μm or above. With the increase in the strain, such grains were also formed around pairs or groups of particles with the size of 0.5μm to 1μm.