Recent trends in the thermomechanical processing of steel

The thermomechanical processing of steels centres on the principle aim of increasing the strength and toughness of the final product without the need for heat treatment. This is accomplished through control of the interplay between steel composition, rolling temperature and degree of deformation. In the present article, the development of microstructure during thermomechanical processing by mechanisms such as grain growth, static and dynamic recrystallization, precipitation and transformation is reviewed. An overview of current and future applications is also presented. With respect to the latter, the prospects of warm rolling, ultra fine microstructures, near netshaped processes and novel mill configurations are discussed.