Bifurcation of thermal restoration processes in deformed iron and steel

Observation of ‘ultra-rapid’ softening at relatively low temperatures has extended the known range of restoration behaviour for iron. In the light of this knowledge a major bifurcation of recovery processes, between dismantling or stabilisation of the dislocation substructure, can be recognised. Early competition between these divergent processes governs the progress and outcome of subsequent recrystallisation. The same bifurcation of recovery processes is evident in strain hardening.