Static Softening in a Ni-30Fe Austenitic Model Alloy After Hot Deformation: Microstructure and Texture Evolution

In the current study, the microstructure and texture characteristics of a model Ni-30Fe austenitic alloy were investigated during hot deformation and subsequent isothermal holding. The deformation led to the formation of self-screening arrays of microbands within a majority of grains. The microbands characteristics underwent rather modest changes during the post-deformation annealing, which suggests that limited dislocation annihilation occurs within the corresponding dislocation walls. The fraction of statically recrystallized (SRX) grains progressively increased with the holding time and closely matched the softening fraction measured from the offset flow stress approach. The corresponding texture was weak and preserved its character with the holding time. There was no pronounced temperature effect on the grain boundary character distribution after the completion of SRX. The Σ3 and Σ9 coincidence site lattice boundaries were characterized as (111) pure twist and (1−14) symmetric tilt types, respectively. Nonetheless, the recrystallization temperature slightly affected the grain boundary network.