Coupling a Cellular Automaton Model with a Finite Element Model for Simulating Deformation and Recrystallization of a Low-Carbon Micro-alloyed Steel During Hot Compression

This study simulated the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of a 2.25Cr-1Mo-0.25V steel by coupling a cellular automaton (CA) method with a finite element (FE) model. A secondary development program (SDP) on DEFORM-2D was carried out and the stress strain response, dislocation density evolution and DRX were considered. In this way, an interaction between the microstructural evolution and the deformation behavior can be taken into account. The values of temperature, strain and strain rate from the FE analysis were passed to the CA model. In turn, the recrystallized grain size and volume fraction of DRX predicted by the CA model were passed back to the FE model, which influenced the flow stress. To validate the SDP, the predicted loads and flow stress were compared with the experimental values, which show a good agreement. Then, the SDP program was used to simulate the microstructural evolution. Morphological characteristic, recrystallized grain size and volume fraction of DRX were predicted and compared with experimental data. The results show that the comparison is in a good agreement, which indicates the SDP is reliable.