An Analytical Approach to Model Heterogonous Recrystallization Kinetics Taking into Account the Natural Spatial Inhomogeneity of Deformation

The classical Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov equation was modified to take into account the normal local strain distribution in deformed samples. This new approach is not only able to describe the influence of the local heterogeneity of recrystallization but also to produce an average apparent Avrami exponent to characterize the entire recrystallization process. In particular, it predicts that the apparent Avrami exponent should be within a narrow range of 1 to 2 and converges to 1 when the local strain varies greatly. Moreover, the apparent Avrami exponent is predicted to be insensitive to temperature and deformation conditions. These predictions are in excellent agreement with the experimental observations on static recrystallization after hot deformation in different steels and other metallic alloys.