Recrystallization initiated by low-temperature grain boundary motion coupled to stress

Abstract

Abstract We propose a new mechanism of recrystallization of cold-deformed metals. During the cold deformation, some of the high-angle grain boundaries are moved by the applied stresses, producing low-curvature bulges and leaving almost defect-free regions behind. The driving force for this motion is very high and can be comparable to the yield stress of the material. Upon subsequent heating without applied stresses, such moved boundaries can continue to move without encountering an energy barrier (which is typical of most nucleation models) under the much smaller driving force arising from the stored energy difference across the boundary.