“Flash” annealing in a cold-rolled low carbon steel alloyed with Cr, Mn, Mo, and Nb

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation is to study the microstructure and texture evolution in a cold-rolled low carbon steel subjected to continuous heating and subsequent quenching. Peak-annealing and quenching experiments are carried out at different temperatures at three heating rates (10, 400, and 1000 °C s⁻¹). The texture evolution in ferrite and martensite is analyzed separately via Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) measurements. It is observed that the recrystallization is virtually completed at 771 °C in samples heated at 10 °C s⁻¹. Conversely, the recrystallization is suppressed in samples heated at rates ≥400 °C s⁻¹. In samples heated at 10 °C s⁻¹, the ferrite texture evolves according to the well-known recrystallization behavior, showing a maximum in {113}<110> components, whereas in samples heated at rates ≥400 °C s⁻¹, the texture is similar to the one of the cold-rolled material. It is concluded that the texture evolution in martensite is strongly dependent on the evolution of recrystallization textures in ferrite. A particular grain substructure product of the interaction between the recrystallization of ferrite and massive austenite formation is observed after heating at rates ≥400 °C s⁻¹. However, this substructure seems to have effect neither on the textures of ferrite nor on the work hardening behavior.