This master’s work focuses on the simulation of hot rolling for thick plate stainless steel
grade 1.4429 (X2CrNiMoN 17-13-3). The aim of the research was to integrate steel
1.4429 into the TMProSim digital twin for thermo-mechanical processing modelling and
to evaluate its predictive accuracy in simulating microstructural evolution during hot
rolling.
The experimental work involved determining the physical properties of the steel
through single-hit hot compression tests conducted on a Gleeble 3500D thermomechanical simulator at various temperatures and strain rates. Additionally, heat
treatments were performed on the samples at three different temperatures and holding
times to investigate grain growth during annealing. Microstructural analysis was carried
out using optical microscopy and quantitative grain size evaluation in accordance with
ASTM E112.
The results showed that steel 1.4429 exhibits higher flow stress compared to steel
1.4404 (AISI 316L), which has a similar chemical composition but significantly lower
nitrogen content. At higher temperatures, coarse and fully recrystallised grains were
observed, while decreasing temperature led to a pronounced reduction in grain size
and the appearance of partially unrecrystallised regions.
It was concluded that the nitrogen addition has a significant effect on the behavior of
the steel during hot working and that, for accurate prediction of microstructure within
the TMProSim model, steels 1.4404 and 1.4429 should be treated separately.
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