An analysis of the transition between strain dependent and independent softening in austenite

The post-deformation softening behaviour of austenite has been studied for various compositions and deformation conditions. The strain at which the transition from strain dependent to strain independent post-deformation softening behaviour occurs (&epsilon;*) has been found to coincide closely with the strain to the peak stress (&epsilon;p) under certain conditions but not under others. It has been proposed that the relationship between &epsilon;* and &epsilon;p may be described geometrically using the initial grain size and the dynamically recrystallised grain size. <br /