Effect of microstructure prior to cold-rolling on recrystallization of cold-rolled high carbon steel sheets

0.35 mass%C cold-rolled steel sheets composed of ferrite and carbides were investigated in order to clarify the effect of distribution of cementites prior to cold-rolling on recrystallization. The distributions of cementites were controlled by hot band annealing prior to cold-rolling. Recrystallization of steel with finer cementites prior to cold-rolling starts and finishes at higher temperature. The dispersion of finer cementites prior to recrystallization increases the <111>//ND grains and decreases the <110>//ND grains during recrystallization, because fine dispersion of cementite restrains the formation of deformation bands, where <110>//ND grains are apt to nucleate.