Physically-Based Modeling and Characterization of Hot Flow Behavior in an Interphase-Precipitated Ti-Mo Microalloyed Steel

In this contribution, a series of hot compression tests was conducted on a typical interphase-precipitated Ti-Mo steel at relatively higher strain rates of 0.1~10 s−1 and temperatures of 900~1150 °C using a Gleeble-2000 thermo-mechanical simulator. A combination of Bergstrom and Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami models was first used to accurately predict the whole flow behaviors of Ti-Mo steel involving dynamic recrystallization, under various hot deformation conditions. By comparing the characteristic stresses and material parameters, especially at the higher strain rates studied, the dependence of hot flow behavior on strain rate and deformation temperature was further clarified. The hardening parameter U and peak density ρp exhibited an approximately positive linear relationship with the Zener–Hollomon (Z) parameter, while the softening parameter Ω dropped with increasing Z value. The Avrami exponent nA varied between 1.2 and 2.1 with lnZ, implying two diverse nucleation mechanisms of dynamic recrystallization. The experimental verification was performed as well based on the microstructural evolution and mechanism analysis upon straining. The proposed constitutive models may provide a powerful tool for optimizing the hot working processes of high performance Ti-Mo microalloyed steels with interphase precipitation.