Effect of Microalloy Precipitates on the Microstructure and Texture of Hot-Deformed Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel

Microalloying elements like Nb and V are added to modified 9Cr-1Mo steel to ensure excellent creep resistance by the formation of fine MX precipitates during tempering treatment. The effect of those elements on the evolution of microstructure (and texture) in hot-deformed steel has hardly been studied. Industrial processing of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel often develops deformed and elongated prior-austenite grain structure, which can be detrimental from property point of view. The present study shows that the formation of such structure can primarily be attributed to the pinning effect from strain-induced Nb(C,N) precipitation, which can effectively retard the static recrystallization of deformed-γ at high-deformation temperature and short inter-pass times (~10 seconds). Based on the results, the application of either heavy deformation pass at high-temperature or multiple-lighter passes maintaining sufficient inter-pass interval (30 to 50 seconds) is recommended to achieve fine and equiaxed γ-grain structure by dynamic recrystallization and static recrystallization, respectively.