Recrystallisation Characteristics of a Cu Bearing HSLA Steel Assessed Through High Temperature Compressive Deformation

Dynamic (DRX) operative duringdeformation and static recrystallization (SRX) operative after deformation are considered responsible for the changes in microstructure and texture of deformed materials. Especially in the case of advanced steels that are required in the form of plates of various thicknesses, hot rolling is the main manufacturing process during which the steel undergoes DRX under the rolls and SRX between rolling passes/strands. Knowledge on DRX and SRX characteristics of such steels is crucial for optimisation of hot rolling parameters,achieving the desired microstructure and consequently the targeted mechanical properties.In this study, certain key aspects of both dynamic (DRX) and static recrystallisation (SRX) behaviour of aCu-bearing HSLA steel, which was developed at DMRL, have been explored through high temperature deformation studies using Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator. Through uniaxial compression testing in the austenitic regime, domains of continuous and discontinuous DRX prevalent in the steel were identified and critical parameters for initiation of dynamic recrystallisation viz., critical strain (ec), critical stress (sc), peak stress (sp) and peak strain (ep) were determined as a function of temperature and strain rate. SRX characteristics were assessed through uniaxial double hit compression tests with fixed strain rate and strain per hit but at different temperatures and with different imposed intermediate static recrystallisation (ISRT) times. From the fractional softening data, parameters such as time for 50% recrystallisation, t0.5, temperature for 50% recrystallisation, T0.5, and activation energy, QSRX have been estimated.Although the steel exhibited good plastic deformation characteristics, the results suggest that the role of copper in retarding recrystallisation is significant.