Microstructure and crystallographic texture of martensitic stainless steels after cold rolling and subsequent recrystallization

Martensitic transformation occurs after the final conformation in the quenching process of martensitic stainless steels. Ferrite grains and Cr-rich carbides are observed in the microstructure during the hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing industrial processes. In this context, this study investigated the microstructures and textures of AISI 410, AISI 420 and EN 1.4116 stainless steels with different carbide fractions, initial grain sizes and initial textures after 50% cold rolling reduction and recrystallization. The experimental results showed that the stored energy after cold rolling and grain growth during the annealing were mainly influenced by the (Cr,Fe)23C6 carbide fraction, which was identified as Cr15.58Fe7.42C6 carbide type. Reducing initial grain size caused a larger grain boundary constraints, weakening the {110}(001) Goss component in recrystallized texture. The initial texture and pinning effect of (Cr,Fe)23C6 carbides favored alpha-fiber retention and texture gradient after recrystallization in AISI 410 steel. The recrystallized microstructures of AISI 420 and EN 1.4116 steels were heterogeneous owing to the (Cr,Fe)23C6 carbide bands in the as-received condition. In addition, the selective particle drag caused the gamma-fiber development with a shift toward (334)[483] component in AISI 420 and EN 1.4116 steels.