Prediction of microstructural evolution and recrystallization behaviors of a hot working die steel by FEM

A numerical analysis was performed to predict flow curves, and dynamic and static recrystallization behaviors of a hot working die steel (0.36% C, 1.1% Mn and 1.21% Cr) based on results from hot compression tests. The hot compression tests were carried out in a temperature range and strain rate of 950–1150 °C and 0.01–1.0 s−1, respectively. The modeling equation for flow stress was a function of strain, strain rate and temperature. In the modeling equation, the effects of strain hardening, recrystallization and grain growth were taken into consideration. Models for predicting the evolution of microstructure in die steel during thermomechanical processing were developed for dynamic and static recrystallization and grain growth phenomena. The microstructure model was combined with finite element modeling to predict microstructure development. Predicted microstructure is consistent with results obtained in multiple compression tests.