The Effect of Strain Path Reversal during Austenite Deformation on Phase Transformation in a Microalloyed Steel Subjected to Accelerated Cooling

Abstract

In the present study, monotonic and cyclical torsional deformations of an X-70 microalloyed steel were conducted at austenite temperatures below the recrystallisation-stop temperature (T5%). The austenite deformation is followed by accelerated continuous cooling to allow the investigation of the strain reversal effect on the subsequent phase transformation mechanisms. The transformation behaviours were studied by a dilatometry method, and the microstructures of the transformed products have been analysed using electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). The results of this study shows that although subjected to the same total cumulative strain and the same cooling rate, strain path reversal by cyclical torsion produces lower temperature transformation products involving mainly a displacive mechanism, comparing to simple strain path deformation which leads to higher temperature transformation by a reconstructive mechanism.