Hot Deformation and Cracking during Compression of 21-4N Steel

Abstract

Hot compressive deformation and cracking behaviors of cast 21-4N steel were investigated over a temperature range between 900°C~1250°C. The strength of the specimen at the outer surface of ingot is greater than that in the inner part because of the initial rapid solidification and corresponding fine structure at the outer surface. The initial flow stress hump in the stress-strain curves can be attributed to the dynamic recrystallization, which requires the initial strain energy build-up before the activation of grain nucleation process. With increase of temperature the critical stain for dynamic recrystallization decreases and at high enough temperatures, no critical strain for the build-up of strain energy is needed. At temperatures between 1000°C and 1200°C, homogeneous deformation occurred and no cracks were observed even after 50% strain. The cracks observed below 1000°C could be associated with the more difficult plastic flow in the presence of carbides and nitrides. The presence of fatal crack at 1250°C and the loss of hot ductility can be attributed to the partial melting in austenite grain boundaries at high temperatures.