Interactions between ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation in high-strength steels

Abdelahad Chbihi (1, 2) , David Barbier (2) , Lionel Germain (3, 1) , Alain Hazotte (1, 3) , Mohamed Gouné (4)

1 LEM3 - Laboratoire d'Etude des Microstructures et de Mécanique des Matériaux
2 ArcelorMittal Maizières Research SA
3 Labex DAMAS
4 ICMCB - Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux

Using both experimental and modeling approaches, we give some clarifications regarding the mechanisms of interaction between ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation in cold-rolled high-strength steels. Using different thermal paths, we show that ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation can be strongly interdependent. The nature of the interaction (weak or strong) affects significantly the austenite formation and the resulting microstructure. We show that the kinetics of austenite formation depends intrinsically on both heating rates and the extent of ferrite recrystallization. An unexpected behavior of austenite growth was also seen at high heating rates. A possible explanation is presented based on the nature of the local equilibrium at the ferrite-austenite interface. The microstructure is more heterogeneous and anisotropic when both austenite formation and ferrite recrystallization overlap. A mechanism of microstructural formation is proposed, and this is supported by 2D simulations' images.

Mots clés: Mechanisms interaction; Modeling approaches; Both experimental; Recrystallization; Ferrite; Cold-rolled high-strength steels; Austenite

Domaines: Matériaux

Abdelahad Chbihi, David Barbier, Lionel Germain, Alain Hazotte, Mohamed Gouné. Interactions between ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation in high-strength steels. Journal of Materials Science, 2014, 49 (10), pp.3608-3621. ⟨10.1007/s10853-014-8029-2⟩. ⟨hal-00974406⟩