Microstructure Prediction of 80MnSi8-6 Steel After Hot Deformation Based on Dynamic Recrystallization Kinetics and FEM Simulation

Abstract

The microstructure evolution during hot deformation of 80MnSi8-6 nanobainitic steel was investigated through hot compression tests at deformation temperatures of 900–1250°C and strain rates of 0.1–20 s−1. The flow curves revealed strain-hardening behavior at the beginning of deformation followed by softening effects caused by microstructure evolution. A Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) model for grain growth and dynamic recrystallization was developed, and the kinetics were determined. Critical and peak strains were identified, and coefficients for the microstructure evolution models were determined using linear regression. The analysis of S-curves revealed that decreasing the temperature delays the onset of recrystallization and that the strain rate significantly effects the recrystallization rate at lower temperatures. Constitutive modeling and determination of the Zener–Hollomon parameter allowed the determination of the influence of hot processing conditions on material behavior during deformation. Microstructure analysis showed that, at higher deformation temperatures, grain growth occurs simultaneously with grain refinement. Coefficients for the JMAK model were implemented in QForm software. Simulation results were compared with experimental measurements exhibited good arrangement, which confirms the accuracy of the JMAK model in predicting the microstructure evolution. This study demonstrated how microstructure evolution modeling and FEM simulations combined can be used to predict the grain size of 80MnSi8-6 steel after hot deformation.