Recrystallization of ferrite–austenite stainless steel

AbstractProcesses taking place in the course of annealing of deformed ferrite–austenite stainless steel have been examined by means of light and electron metallography. Deformations of 23, 43, and 85% were obtained by rolling at room temperature. It has been found that ferrite and austenite recrystallize discontinuously irrespective of the magnitude of the deformation. Ferrite recrystallization is preceded by extensive recovery processes. Initially this induces the formation of elongated subgrains, whose growth results in a rapid spheroidization and nucleation of recrystallization. The recovery of austenite before recrystallization is far more limited and, in general, does not lead to the formation of a subgrain structure. The preferred regions of recrystallization nuclei formation in ferrite are shear bands and microbands, whereas in austenite the nucleation of recrystallization takes place at the intersections of deformation twins and in shear bands. The size of ferrite and austenite grains after recrys...