Effects of deformation temperatures on stress/strain distribution and microstructural evolution of deformed 42CrMo steel

Dynamic recrystallization mathematical models of 42CrMo steel were derived based on the experimental results. The effects of deformation temperatures on the strain/stress distribution and microstructural evolution of 42CrMo steel during hot upsetting process were simulated by integrating the thermo-mechanical coupled finite element model. The results show that the distributions of the strain/stress and dynamic recrystallization grain sizes are inhomogeneous. The average volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization increases with the increase of deformation temperatures. The average dynamic recrystallization grain sizes become fine when the deformation temperatures decrease. A good agreement between the predicted and measured average grain sizes was obtained. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.