Effect of gradient temperature on the microstructural evolution of Nitronic 50 austenitic stainless steel thick ingot during hot rolling

Grain refinement through dynamic recrystallization is one way to improve the mechanical properties of high nitrogen austenitic stainless-steel ingots during hot rolling. In this paper, by using simulation based on the finite element method and experimental results, the effect of conventional rolling and gradient temperature rolling on the microstructural evolution of Nitronic 50 austenitic stainless-steel ingot during hot rolling is investigated. The results of simulations showed that strain in the center of the ingot be increased under a gradient temperature, while the maximum strain value in the conventional rolling is on the surface. The microstructural results obtained from optical microscopy for gradient temperature rolling showed strain value in the center is more than the surface. The temperature difference between the center and the surface leads to a significant reduction in the strength center of the ingot against the surface. The difference in average grain size of dynamic recrystallized for gradient temperature in the surface and center was less than 3μm. The existence of primary grains (68μm average grain size) and bulged grain boundaries in the center of ingot and refinement and small grains in the surface area (8.5μm) in conventional rolling (1000℃) showed that dynamic recrystallization, due to low effective strain and temperature, has not occurred in the center of the ingot. The almost uniform distribution of austenite grains in the direction of ingot thickness for gradient temperature rolling showed that this method is an appropriate method for hot rolling of austenitic steel ingots compared to conventional conditions.