Finite element analysis for microstructure evolution in hot finishing rolling of steel strips

A computer model that describes the evolution of microstructures during the hot finishing rolling of SS400 steel has been proposed. It has been found that the microstructure strongly depends on processing of materials and on their parameters, which affected the history of the thermomechanical variables, such as temperature, strain, and strain rate. To investigate the microstructural evolutions during the hot finishing rolling process, the rigid-thermoviscoplastic finite element method (FEM) has been combined with dynamic recrystallization, static recrystallization, and grain growth models. The simulation results show a good agreement with those from the prediction software online.