Microstructural evolution in Fe-0.13P-0.05C steel during compression at elevated temperatures

The microstructural evolution was studied in order to adjust the processing parameters for hot forming. Fe-0.13P-0.05C steel was subjected to hot compression tests using a thermo-mechanical simulator. The tests were performed at the temperatures ranging from 800 degrees C-950 degrees C. The strain rates chosen at all these temperatures were 0.01, 0.1 and 1 s(-1). The effects of the strain rates and hot compression temperatures on the microstructural aspects of the steel were examined using optical microscopy. The outcomes indicate that the mean grain dimension of the hot compressed Fe-0.13P-0.05C steel escalates with increases in the deformation temperature and also with decreases in strain rate. Dynamic recrystallization was observed to be the instrument of grain refinement. The minimum grain dimension of 5.6 mu m was attained at 800 degrees C and 0.1s(-1).