Hot Deformation Behaviors of S31042 Austenitic Heat-Resistant Steel

The hot deformation behavior of S31042 austenitic heat-resistant steel was investigated over the temperature range of 900–1 200 °C and strain rate range of 0. 01–10 s−1 using hot compression tests and the corresponding flow curves were obtained. The hot deformation activation energy of the test steel is 625 kJ/mol. The hot deformation equation and the relationship between the peak stresses, deformation temperature and strain rate were set up. The Zener-Hollomon parameter under various conditions was determined. The relation between the Zener-Hollomon parameter and the microstructure evolution of test steel was discussed. With the decrease of Zener-Hollomon parameter, the microstructure of test steel transforms from deformation instability to dynamic recovery, partial dynamic recrystallization, full dynamic recrystallization with equiaxial structure, and finally to full dynamic recrystallization with mixed crystal structure. The deformation condition can be adjusted easily by utilizing the Zener-Hollomon parameter to obtain equiaxial microstructure.