Role of Microalloying Elements on Recrystallization Kinetics of Cold-Rolled High Strength Low Alloy Steels

The recrystallization kinetics of two cold-rolled high strength low alloy steels with the addition of Ti and Ti-V, respectively, during annealing were investigated by means of modeling and experimental validation. The recrystallization kinetics of the Ti-V steel were hindered compared to the Ti steel. Based on solid solution theory, mass conservation law and classical nucleation, growth and coarsening theory, the precipitation behavior of Ti and Ti-V steels was predicted. The radius of TiC is larger, and its number density is lower than (Tix, V1−x)C. On this basis, by considering the comprehensive effect of recrystallization on stored energy, the effect of the microalloyed precipitates and microalloying solute on the driving force and grain boundary mobility, the model of the recrystallization kinetics was proposed, which could well reproduce the effect of microalloying elements on recrystallization. Moreover, it was indicated that solute drag is more effective in retarding recrystallization than the pinning effect of precipitates.