Abstract
Bimodal grain size distributions were found in continuously cast slab and thermomechanical controlled rolled (TMCR) samples of Nb-microalloyed steel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed inhomogeneous distributions of Al- and Nb-containing precipitates, which were found to pin prior austenite grain boundaries during reheating. Fine austenite grain sizes were associated with areas having a higher number density of these precipitates, which correlated with interdendritic regions. The formation of a bimodal grain structure after reheating and rolling could therefore be attributed to the inhomogeneous precipitate distribution, which originates from segregation during continuous casting and is modified during reheating and rolling.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 205-213 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2006 |