Effect of γ→α Phase Transformation on Refining Austenite Grains of Microalloyed Steel in Continuous Casting by Simulation

Abstract

Abstract The formation of coarse prior austenite grain is a key factor to promote transverse crack, and the transverse crack susceptibility can be reduced by refining the austenite grain size. In the present study, the high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to simulate and study the effect of two γ→α phase transformation conditions on the refinement of the prior austenite grains. Under the condition of the uniform distribution of the second phase precipitation, the effect of the distribution of the proeutectoid ferrite at different cooling rates and refinement of prior austenite grain were investigated. The results indicate that, at a cooling rate of 5.0°C s–1, the austenite grain size undergoing TH1 thermal cycle was 31% smaller than the austenite grain undergoing TH0 thermal cycle. Under TH0 cooling system, the proeutectoid ferrite was uniformly distributed in the austenite matrix; under TH1 cooling, the proeutectoid ferrite precipitated and mainly concentrated along the austenite grain boundaries to form developed-film-like ferrite, which is favorable to break the prior austenite grain boundaries. After the first phase transformation, the film-like ferrite improved the nucleation conditions of new austenite grains, thus more new austenite grains splitted the prior austenite grains, ultimately refining the prior austenite grains.