Effect of Ce Treatment on the Austenite Grain Growth Behavior of High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel During Heating Process Before Rolling

By adding Ce to high-strength low-alloy steel, the effects of heating parameters and Ce on grain growth were examined through in situ observation and dynamic analysis of grain growth behavior during heating, combined with precipitated phase analysis and pinning force calculations. In situ observation of the heating process revealed the behavior of grain growth and grain boundary migration in real time, providing an intuitive and accurate illustration of the effect of Ce on grain growth behavior. The mechanism of Ce’s role in refining austenite grains was clarified. The results revealed that at 1050 °C, Ce had little effect on grain growth. Ce delayed the grain coarsening temperature from 1050–1150 °C to 1150–1250 °C, resulting in grain refinement. The predicted results from the established dynamic model were consistent with the grain growth process, demonstrating high predictive accuracy. After Ce treatment, the activation energy for grain growth increased from 172.058 to 193.703 kJ/mol, representing a 12.58% rise, rendering grain growth more difficult. Within the holding temperature range, small spherical Nb-rich (Nb, Ti)(C, N) and large rectangular Ti-rich (Nb, Ti)(C, N) existed. The addition of 0.0070% Ce delayed the dissolution of Nb-rich carbonitrides. Finer precipitated phases and high-melting-point, fine Ce2O2S and CeAlO3 inclusions at grain boundaries provided greater pinning force, inhibiting grain growth.