The Role of Elements Partition and Austenite Grain Size in the Ferrite-Bainite Banding Formation during Hot Rolling

The partitioning and diffusion of solute elements in hot rolling and the effect of the partitioning and diffusion on the ferrite-bainite banding formation after hot rolling in the 20CrMnTi steel were experimentally examined by EPMA (electron probe microanalysis) technology and simulated by DICTRTA and MATLAB software. The austenite grain size related to the hot rolling process and the effect of austenite grain size on the ferrite-bainite banding formation were studied. The results show that experimental steel without banding has the most uniform hardness distribution, which is taken from the edge of the cast slab and 1/4 diameter position of the cast slab, heating at 1100 °C for 2 h and above 1200 °C for 2–4 h during the hot rolling, respectively. Cr, Mn, and Si diffuse and inhomogeneously concentrate in austenite during hot rolling, while C homogeneously concentrates in austenite. After the same hot rolling process, ΔAe3 increases and ferrite-bainite banding intensifies with increasing initial segregation width and segregation coefficient K of solute elements. Under the same initial segregation of solute elements, ΔAe3 drops and ferrite-bainite banding reduces with increasing heating temperature and extension heating time. When ΔAe3 drops below 14 °C, ferrite-bainite banding even disappears. What is more, the austenite grain size increases with increasing heating temperature and extension heating time. When the austenite grain size is above 21 μm, the experimental steel will not appear to have a banded structure after hot rolling.