Static recrystallization of strip cast alloys in the presence of complex nano-sulfide and nitride precipitates

The static recrystallization of three strip cast stainless steels including one ferritic stainless steel, one austenitic stainless steel and a 201 stainless steel was investigated in the present work. The samples were obtained from a laboratory scale strip casting simulator and were subjected to cold rolling and annealing. It is shown that the strip cast samples develop nano-precipitates which in the case of austenitic and ferritic stainless steels can significantly hinder the recrystallization kinetics. Two different precipitate species were identified: sulfides and nitrides. The sulfides are formed in the as-cast structure and hinder recrystallization. These can be coarsened by heat treatment to make recrystallization more rapid. The nitrides, however, are in solution in the as-cast condition and only retard the recrystallization after a heat treatment has been used to cause their precipitation.