Dynamic Phase Transformation Behavior of a Nb-microalloyed Steel during Roughing Passes at Temperatures above the Ae3

Abstract

A five-pass torsion simulation of the roughing passes applied during hot plate rolling was performed in the single-phase austenite region of a Nb-microalloyed steel under continuous cooling conditions. The deformation temperatures were approximately half-way between the Ae3 and the delta ferrite formation temperature (i.e., 250 °C above the Ae3) in which the free energy difference of austenite and ferrite is at maximum. The microstructures in-between passes were analyzed to characterize and quantify the occurrence of deformation-induced dynamic phase transformation. It was observed that about 7% of austenite transforms into ferrite right after the final pass. The results are consistent with the calculated critical strains and driving forces which indicate that dynamic transformation (DT) can take place at any temperature above the Ae3. This mechanism occurs even with the presence of high Nb in the material, which is known to retard and hinder the occurrence of DT by means of pinning and solute drag effects. The calculated cooling rate during quenching and the time–temperature–transformation curves of the present material further verified the existence of dynamically transformed ferrite.