Hot deformation and acicular ferrite microstructure in c-mn steel containing Ti2O3 inclusions

The influence of hot deformation on the formation of acicular ferrite in C- Mn wrought steels containing Ti2O3 inclusions has been investigated, A sign ificant amount of acicular ferrite is formed even after hot deformation. Fr om this, it seems that the ability of Ti2O3 inclusions to induce the nuclea tion of intragranular fer rite remains valid within recrystallized austenit e grains after deformation. However, the fractions of acicular ferrite are lower than those in the steels without hot deformation. A high fraction of acicular ferrite is obtained after hot deformation when Mn level is high, t he formation of intergranular ferrite such as allotriomorphic ferrite and u pper bainite being pronouncedly suppressed. Deformation at relatively low t emperatures discourages the formation of acicular ferrite while encouraging intergranular ferrite by reducing prior austenite grain size and consequen tly by increasing the area of the austenite grain boundaries.