Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2013
This research work studies the dynamically recrystallized austenitic grain size (Drec) in a new family of low carbon NiCrCuV advanced ultra-high strength steel (A-UHSS) microalloyed with boron under hot deformation conditions. For this purpose, uniaxial hot-compression tests are carried out in a low carbon A-UHSS microalloyed with different amounts of boron (14, 33, 82, 126 and 214 ppm) over a wide range of temperatures (950, 1000, 1050 and 1100°C) and constant true strain rates (10−3, 10−2 and 10−1 s−1). Deformed samples are prepared and chemically etched with a saturated aqueous picric acid solution at 80°C in order to reveal the Drec and examined by light optical (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Drec is related to the Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z), and thereafter the Drec divided by Burger's vector (b) is related to the steady state stress (σss) divided by the shear modulus (µ) (Derby model). Results shown that the Drec in the current steels is fine (≈ 23 μm) and almost equiaxed, and the recrystallized grain size-flow stress relationship observed after of plastic deformation is consistent with the general formulation proposed by Derby. It is corroborated that boron additions to the current A-UHSS do not have meaningful influence on the Drec.