Heterogeneous deformation and recrystallisation of iron base oxide dispersion strengthened PM2000 alloy

The recrystallistation behaviour of PM2000 oxide dispersion strengthened fe rritic alloy has been investigated for tube specimens which had been cold d eformed after extrusion. The evolution of the recrystallisation temperature , defined as the minimum temperature at which the specimen begins to recrys tallise, has been studied in detail as a function of the level of deformati on, The microstructure was characterised using optical and transmission ele ctron microscopy, together with microhardness measurements, and local textu re measurements obtained using the electron backscattering pattern techniqu e. The results can be interpreted if it is assumed that any procedure that produces a heterogeneous microstructure, stimulates recrystallisation. Tn t his sense, larger strain gradients lead to more refined and more isotropic grain structures, The way in which these results can be exploited for comme rcial applications is discussed. MST/4742.