Characterization of Austenite Dynamic Recrystallization under Different Z Parameters in a Microalloyed Steel

A low carbon Nb-Ti microalloyed steel was subjected to hot torsion testing over the temperature range 850–1100°C and strain rates 0.01–1 s−1 to study the influence of deformation conditions on the dynamic recrystallization characteristics of austenite. The results show that dynamic recrystallization occurs more easily with the decrease of strain rate and the increase of deformation temperature. The complete dynamically recrystallized grain size as a function of Zener-Hollomon parameter was established. It was found that dynamically recrystallized grain sizes decrease with increasing strain rate and decreasing deformation temperature. The effect of microalloying elements on peak strain was investigated and the solute drag corrected peak strain was determined. Also, the dynamic recrystallization map of austenite was obtained by using recrystallization critical parameters.