Characterization of the austenite recrystallization by comparing double deformation and stress relaxation tests

A high amount of deformation below the non-recrystallization temperature (T-nr) is a common industrial practice to achieve a good combination of toughness and strength in microalloyed steels. To combine the industrially relevant optimum combination of high productivity and product quality, an accurate knowledge of T-nr and the recrystallization kinetics is required. Although a lot of literature data is available on the recrystallization behaviour of microalloyed steels, correlations are often difficult to be made due to the effect of different experimental setups, types of analysis and test schedules that are used to obtain this data. Although this would significantly improve the knowledge about these steels, so far, no systematic comparison has been presented in literature to correlate the different techniques and methods. In this study, different hot rolling simulation techniques, testing schedules and types of analysis were used to determine the recrystallization kinetics of a microalloyed steel. On the one hand, good agreement was found between the results from different test equipment for the double deformations tests. On the other hand, stress relaxation tests showed accelerated kinetics and appeared to be less effective.A high amount of deformation below the non-recrystallization temperature (T-nr) is a common industrial practice to achieve a good combination of toughness and strength in microalloyed steels. To combine the industrially relevant optimum combination of high productivity and product quality, an accurate knowledge of T-nr and the recrystallization kinetics is required. Although a lot of literature data is available on the recrystallization behaviour of microalloyed steels, correlations are often difficult to be made due to the effect of different experimental setups, types of analysis and test schedules that are used to obtain this data. Although this would significantly improve the knowledge about these steels, so far, no systematic comparison has been presented in literature to correlate the different techniques and methods. In this study, different hot rolling simulation techniques, testing schedules and types of analysis were used to determine the recrystallization kinetics of a microalloyed steel. On the one hand, good agreement was found between the results from different test equipment for the double deformations tests. On the other hand, stress relaxation tests showed accelerated kinetics and appeared to be less effective.A