Effects of Ti and N contents on the sizes of TiN particles and prior austenite grains in low-alloy steels

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of N and Ti contents on the sizes of TiN particles and prior austenite grains in low-alloy steels. Specimens were hot-rolled at a heating temperature of 1250 °C and quenched from 950 °C. The sizes of TiN particles and prior austenite grains were analyzed, revealing that both decreased with increasing N content. The prior austenite grain size was determined based on the ratio of TiN particle size to its volume fraction. As indicated by the Ostwald ripening equation, the reduction in TiN particle size with increasing N content can be attributed to the decreased rate of Ostwald ripening during heating.