Hot Ductility of a Microalloyed Steel in the Intermediate Temperature Range

Abstract
In this study hot ductility has been determined from tensile tests for two states of a microalloyed steel : after casting and after rolling processes. Hot deformations were carried out at speeds varying from 10^-4s^-1 to 10^-2s^-1 and temperatures from 750°C to 1100°C. Two heat treatments were chosen before hot deformation. A ferrite precipitation is observed at austenitic grain boundaries in the intercritical temperature range, causing intergranular embrittlement. Ductility trough is deeper in the as-cast samples due to the growth of large grain size. Also, precipitation makes the hot ductility curve wider and deeper around 900°C. The results show a decrease in hot ductility. Minimum values of hot ductility are determined for (ITC) treatment at 900°C and for (DTC) treatment at 800°C. For this second treatment another decrease in hot ductility was observed at 900°C. We can explain hot ductility losses by the presence of precipitates in the austenitic region and the presence of the two-phase structure in the intercritical region.