3D phase field modelling of recrystallization in a low-carbon steel

Intercritical annealing is a critical processing step to manufacture dual-phase (DP) steels. As part of modelling the microstructure evolution in an intercritical-annealing cycle, a 3D multi-phase field model has been employed to simulate recrystallization during heating of a low-carbon steel that is used to produce commercial DP600 grade. The cold-rolled microstructure obtained from metallographic observations is used as the initial structure in the model. The nucleation conditions and the effective interface mobility are employed as adjustable parameters to fit the experimentally measured kinetics of isothermal recrystallization and then applied to non-isothermal recrystallization. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data for recrystallization during continuous heating. The model provides realistic recrystallized microstructures as initial conditions for modelling the subsequent formation and decomposition of austenite.