An Analysis of the Transition between Strain Dependent and Independent Softening in Austenite

Abstract

The post-deformation softening behaviour of austenite has been studied for various compositions and deformation conditions. The strain at which the transition from strain dependent to strain independent post-deformation softening behaviour occurs (ε^*) has been found to coincide closely with the strain to the peak stress (ε_p) under certain conditions but not under others. It has been proposed that the relationship between ε^* and ε_p may be described geometrically using the initial grain size and the dynamically recrystallised grain size.