Grain Growth Following Recrystallization

This chapter is designed to study grain growth following recrystallization. Compared with primary recrystallization, the growth of grains in a recrystallized single-phase material might appear to be a relatively simple process. Although primary recrystallization often precedes grain growth, it is not a necessary precursor. This chapter discusses only the growth of grains under the driving pressures due to boundaries in the material. However, boundaries can be induced to migrate by externally applied forces such as those due to stress or by magnetic fields. This chapter is primarily concerned with the kinetics of grain growth and the nature and stability of the microstructure. The technological importance of grain growth stems from the dependence of properties, and in particular the mechanical behavior on grain size. In materials for structural application at lower temperatures, a small grain size is normally required to optimize the strength and toughness. However, in order to improve the high temperature creep resistance of a material, a large grain size is required. The main factors that influence grain growth are temperature, solutes and particles, specimen size, and texture.