Recrystallization behavior of a two-way cold rolled 12Cr ODS steel

Recrystallization behavior of a two-way cold rolled 12Cr ODS steel during annealing in the range of 1273–1473 K was systemically investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and hardness testing. Results show that original grains with <110> axis were rotated to <111> axis parallel to normal direction after ∼60% reduction in thickness. Recovery stage was obvious at 1273 K annealing taking about 100 min, but at higher temperatures it was shortly followed by recrystallization. ∼84% recrystallization was observed after annealing at 1473 K for 60 min, indicating that the new cold rolling process decreases the recrystallization temperature in comparison with the as-fabricated specimen completing recrystallization at 1673 K. In addition, the microtexture evolution was characterized as recrystallization proceeded. The intensity of {111}<110> and {111}<112> components decreased, while intensive {110}<001> component was obtained. Dependence of the stored energy on the orientation of deformed grains is presumed for the reduction of {111}<110> and {111}<112> components, and oriented growth is probably responsible for the enhancement of {110}<001> texture after recrystallization.