LAUSR

Abstract The metadynamic recrystallization (MDRX) behaviors and microstructure evolution of 300 M steel are studied by hot compression experiments and high temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (HTLSCM) experiments. The effects of insulation temperature, pre-strain rate and holding time on the MDRX behaviors are discussed in detail. Based on the statistical results of the microstructure evolution, the MDRX kinetics model and recrystallization (RX) grain size model of 300 M steel are established, respectively. It can be confirmed from the in-situ observations that strain-induced boundary migration mechanism and curvature-driven grain boundary migration mechanism are the main MDRX mechanisms of 300 M steel. The MDRX develops rapidly under the high temperature or low pre-strain rate. The insulation temperature has a more important effect on the MDRX rate. The RX grain size increases with the increased insulation temperature, pre-strain rate and holding time. Compared to the pre-strain rate, the effects of insulation temperature on the maximum MDRX fraction and RX grain size are negligible. Comparisons between the experimental and predicted results verify that the proposed MDRX kinetics models and RX grain size model can quantificationally reveal the MDRX behaviors of 300 M steel well.