Effect of partial recrystallization on the grain size and grain boundary structure of austenitic steel

Cyclic thermomechanical treatment combined with caliber rolling was applied in order to obtain very fine grain structure with high fraction of special grain boundaries in austenitic stainless steel. Partial recrystallization was observed. Recrystallized fraction was assessed from misorientation data measured by electron back scattering diffraction. Due to the partial recrystallization, elastic energy was stored in the deformed parts, and helped grain boundary movement. As a consequence, very fine grained material with high fraction of special boundaries was formed.

► I combined the advantage of severe plastic deformation and thermomechanical treatment.
► A very fine grained steel with high fraction of special boundaries was formed.
► Stored elastic energy hepled the movement of grain boundaries.
► The amount of recrystallized part was determined by EBSD.