Role of Twinning on Dynamic Recrystallization and Microstructure During Moderate to High Strain Rate Hot Deformation of a Ti-Modified Austenitic Stainless Steel

This article discusses the role of twinning on dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and microstructural evolution during moderate to high strain rate (0.1 to 100 s −1 ) hot deformation (1173 to 1373 K (900 to 1100 °C) range) in a Ti-modified austenitic stainless steel (alloy D9). The extent of DRX increased with increasing strain rate and temperature in the range of hot working parameters employed in the present study. The acceleration of DRX with strain rate is attributed to increased rate of dislocation accumulation during high strain rate deformation as well as adiabatic temperature rise. The DRX grains were found to be twinned and a linear relationship was observed between the area fraction of DRX grains and the fraction of Σ3 boundaries. Analysis of misorientations revealed that the majority of these Σ3 boundaries are newly formed coherent twin boundaries during DRX. Interaction of pre-existing Σ3 boundaries that may regenerate new Σ3 boundaries did not seem to occur frequently during DRX. The majority of the twin boundaries are found within the DRX grains, signifying that these annealing twins are mainly formed by “growth accidents” during the expansion of the DRX grains. It is suggested that annealing twins play an important role during nucleation and subsequent expansion of the DRX process in alloy D9.