THE NONEQUILIBRIUM SEGREGATION OF BORON DURING THE RECRYSTALLIZATION OF NB-TREATED HSLA STEELS

The effect of boron segregation on recrystallization was investigated in two Nb and two Nb-free steels. The results indicate that the addition of B to a Nb steel retards the recrystallization of austenite after high temperature deformation to a significant degree. By contrast, the effect of B when added alone is not of commercial importance. At deformation temperatures above 950-degrees-C, the influence of boron is mainly due to grain boundary segregation and solute drag; below 900-degrees-C, the retardation results from the precipitation of Nb carbonitride. During isothermal holding, there are two types of non-equilibrium segregation on boundaries. Strain-induced segregation occurs on the original boundaries; it increases and attains a maximum rapidly, then decreases and disappears after 60 s of holding at 1000-degrees-C. A second type of non-equilibrium segregation occurs on newly formed boundaries during recrystallization. It develops quickly as the new boundaries are formed and begin to move, and can persist until grain impingement occurs and the motion is halted. The enhanced effect of B in the presence of Nb is attributed to the formation of (Nb, B) complexes, which appear to increase the solute drag force and decrease the boundary velocity.