1996 Volume 36 Issue 12 Pages 1479-1485
The static recrystallization kinetics of a 0.08%C-0.055%Nb steel were investigated at 950°C by means of interrupted hot compression tests; the results obtained in this way were analyzed using three different methods for assessing the fractional softening. In particular, the effect was studied of varying the initial grain size from 12 to 83 μm. The exponent relating initial grain size to the time for 50% recrystallization was found to be about 1.7. This is somewhat less than the exponent of 2.0 conventionally employed for plain C-Mn steels, and which is often quoted in the literature as applicable to Nb grades. In addition, by means of comparison with previous work on grades with lower levels of Nb and Mn, it is shown that higher levels of Mn make significant contributions to the retardation of static recrystallization in Nb steels.
