Abstract: Effect of initial grain size (I.G.S.) on static recrystallization softening in Cr steel(0.77wt.% CR) has been investigated through the use of interrupted hot compressiontests and stress relaxation curves from Gleeble 1500. Initial grain sizes were variedbetween 20 and 93 microns. Stress strains curves for Cr steel for different initialgrain sizes and recrystallization times have been highlighted. Similar observation wasmade for metadynamic recrystallization with shorter retardation times. Staticallyrecrystallized grain size also increased as initial grain size increases. It is found thatthe values of initial grain size have significant effects on the mean flow stress andstatic recrystallization kinetics as well as the peak strain values to initiate dynamicrecrystallization.

Key words: initial grain size, recrystallization, stress relaxation