A model for the competition of precipitation and recrystallization in deformed austenite

The hot-deformation of a microalloyed steel sets the stage for the processe s of static-recrystallization and strain-induced precipitation. A physicall y-based model was developed to describe the interaction of these two proces ses. The precipitates were assumed to form. exclusively, on dislocations. D ynamic effects as well as static recovery were ignored. Given the alloy com position, deformation temperature and dislocation density, the model is abl e to predict the recrystallized fraction as a function of time. The model m ay be used to construct recrystallization-time-temperature (RTT) maps as we ll as deformation-temperature (DT) maps. The predictions of the model are i n excellent qualitative agreement with experimental observations. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.