Effect of Dynamic Recrystallization on Microstructural Evolution in B Steels Microalloyed with Nb and/or Mo

The dynamic recrystallization behavior of ultra-high strength boron-microalloyed steels optionally alloyed with niobium and molybdenum is analyzed in this paper. Multipass torsion tests were performed to simulate plate rolling conditions followed by direct quenching. The influence of alloy composition on the transformed microstructure was evaluated by means of EBSD, thereby characterizing the morphology of the austenite grain morphology after roughing and finishing passes. The results indicated that for Nb-microalloyed steel, partial dynamic recrystallization occurred and resulted in local clusters of fine-sized equiaxed grains dispersed within the pancaked austenitic structure. A recrystallized austenite fraction appeared and transformed into softer phase constituents after direct quenching. The addition of Mo was shown to be an effective means of suppressing dynamic recrystallization. This effect of molybdenum in addition to its established hardenability effects hence safeguards the formation of fully martensitic microstructures, particularly in direct quenching processes. Additionally, the circumstances initiating dynamic recrystallization were studied in more detail, and the interference of the various alloying elements with the observed phenomena and the potential consequences of dynamic recrystallization before quenching are discussed.