Effect of Silicon and Aluminium on Austenite Static Recrystallization Kinetics in High-strength TRIP-aided Steels

High-strength transformation-induced-plasticity steels contain high concentrations of silicon or aluminium or a combination of the two. The effects of up to 1.5 wt.% Si and up to 1.9 wt.% Al on the static recrystallization kinetics of austenite in 0.2C-2.0Mn-0.6Cr steel have been investigated and the activation energies of deformation (Q(def)) and static recrystallization (Q(srx)) have been determined. Addition of aluminium increases Q(def) and Q(srx) more strongly than addition of silicon. Aluminium alloying also retards static recrystallization more strongly than silicon alloying. In both cases, the effects of silicon and aluminium are non-linear saturating towards the highest concentrations studied.