Effects of oxide particles and solute elements on austenite grain growth in Fe-0.05mass%C and Fe-10mass%Ni alloys

The inhibition effects of oxide particles and solute elements on austenite grain growth have been studied in an Fe-0.05mass%C and Fe-10mass%Ni alloys deoxidized with Mn-Si, Ti, Mg, Zr and Ce as a function of content of soluble deoxidant elements and holding time at 1 200 degrees C. Total surface area of austenite grains per unit volume which is inversely proportional to austenite grain size is analyzed as a function of total surface area of particles per unit volume and content of soluble deoxidant elements. It is found that in Mn-Si, Ti and Mg deoxidations, the austenite grain size is controlled only by the effect of particle pinning, while in Zr and Ce deoxidations the austenite grain size is controlled by both particle pinning and solute drag. The inhibition effect of soluble Zr and Ce increases significantly with increasing their contents. The effect of particle dragging in Ce deoxidation increases with increasing the holding time at 1 200 degrees C. The contribution of particle pinning, particle dragging and solute drag to austenite grain growth is estimated as a function of deoxidant elements and holding time at 1 200 degrees C.