Comparison between simulated and experimental transformation textures in a Nb microalloyed steel

Abstract Samples of a Nb microalloyed steel were control rolled and finished (i) at 1020°C (in the γ recrystallization range) and (ii) at 870°C (in the γ no-recrystallization range). The textures of these materials were compared with b.c.c. transformation textures derived analytically from (i) annealed and (ii) cold rolled samples of an f.c.c. Ni30Co alloy. For this purpose, the Kurdjumov-Sachs relationship was assumed, together with the absence of variant selection. The ferrite texture of the experimental steel finish rolled in the γ recrystallization range is sharper than the corresponding simulated texture, the major components of both being {100}〈011〉 and {110}〈110〉. The texture of the experimental steel finish rolled in the γ no-recrystallization range is again sharper than the corresponding simulated texture, both containing {113}〈110〉, {332}〈113〉 and {100}〈011〉 as the major components. The detailed textural features of the steel finished at 1020°C can be explained by allowing for some variant selection, together with selective growth of the {100}〈011〉 oriented α grains during transformation. A combination of selective α grain growth and variant selection is again required to explain the detailed texture of the steel sample finished at 870°C.