Enhanced Grain Growth Behavior of Ferritic Steel during Continuous Cyclic Annealing. Issue 11 (11th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Ziyong; Babu, R. Prasath; Xu, Yunbo; Wu, Di
• Is Part Of: Steel research international. Volume 89:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-11
• Subjects: cyclic annealing -- grain growth -- low ΣCSL boundary -- steel strength and ductility; Steel -- Periodicals; Steel -- Metallurgy -- Periodicals; 669.142
• DOI: 10.1002/srin.201800222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1611-3683

Abstract

Abstract : Microstructural characterization as well as mechanical property determination of a cold‐rolled ferritic steel subjected to isothermal and cyclic non‐isothermal annealing, has been carried out by utilizing comprehensive experimental analysis. The findings show that the variables of cyclic annealing, that is, amplitude, ramp rate, and intermediate holding time exhibit a great effect on the grain growth kinetics and the evolution of grain boundaries. The resulting grain size of the cyclic annealed steel is mainly attributed to the following factors: 1) the accelerating effect in the grain growth behavior caused by the additional driving force available during cyclic annealing, which increases with increasing amplitude; 2) the retarding effect due to the low equivalent isothermal temperature. Furthermore, the formation of low Σ‐ coincidence site lattice (ΣCSL) boundaries and the strength of γ‐fiber texture are enhanced through the cyclic annealing compared to the isothermal annealing. The potential advantages of continuous cyclic annealing in the steel industry are explored, in comparison with the conventional isothermal and cyclic annealing with an intermediate soaking time. Abstract : The influence of cyclic annealing on microstructure and texture as well as their mechanical properties of a typical cold‐rolled ferritic steel have been investigated. The results show that the grain growth, special grain boundary, and favorable texture can be enhanced by the cyclic annealing. A great potential of the cyclic annealing on mechanical properties is discussed and evaluated.