Dynamic recrystallization behavior of AISI 304 stainless steel

The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of AISI 304 stainless steel was studied with torsion test in the temperature range of 900-1100 degreesC and the strain rate range of 5.0 x 10(-2)-5.0 x 10 degrees s(-1). The initiation and evolution of DRX were investigated with microstructural analysis and then the critical strain for DRX initiation could be confirmed by analysis of flow stress. The volume fraction of DRX (X-DRX) as a function of processing variables, such as strain rate ((epsilon) over dot), temperature (T). and strain (epsilon) were established. For the exact prediction of X-DRX, the variation of flow stress with strain was analyzed in detail. The calculation of grain size was based on X-DRX and the investigated microstructure at a few points. It was found that the calculated results agreed with the microstructure of the alloy at any deformation conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.