Influence of Microalloying Elements Ti and Nb on Recrystallization during Annealing of Advanced High-Strength Steels

Microalloying elements Ti and Nb are commonly added to high-strength Dual Phase steels as they can provide efficient means for additional strengthening due to grain refinement and precipitation strengthening mechanisms. In the form of solute elements or as fine carbonitride precipitates, Ti and Nb are also expected to have a significant effect on the microstructural changes during annealing and especially on recrystallization kinetics. The present work investigates the influence of microalloying elements Ti and Nb on recrystallization in various cold-rolled Dual Phase steel grades with the same initial microstructure but different microalloying contents. Using complementary experimental and modeling approaches makes it possible to give some clarifications regarding both the nature of this effect and the comparative efficiency of Ti and Nb on delaying recrystallization. It is shown that niobium is the most efficient micro-alloying element to impede recrystallization and that the predominant effect is solute drag.