Influence of Annealing Temperature on the Microstructure Features and Microhardness of Carbide-Strengthened V–Cr–W–Zr Alloy

A study of the influence of annealing in the range from 700 to 1600°С on the microstructure features and microhardness values of the V–Cr–W–Zr alloy after thermomechanical treatment was carried out. It was found that, as a result of rolling in the V–Cr–W–Zr alloy, texture fibers α, γ, θ are formed. It has been established that the structural state after thermomechanical treatment is stable up to 800°С. At 900°С, primary recrystallization is activated, which at 1000°С covers the entire volume of the material. Collective recrystallization processes occur in the temperature range of 1100–1400°С. Secondary recrystallization is activated at 1500°С. Under conditions of primary, collective, and secondary recrystallization, against the background of orientational grain growth, the disappearance of the texture components of the θ-fiber is observed. It was established that, in the temperature range of 1500–1600°С, a partial redistribution of W occurs. The influence of the average grain size on the microhardness values of the alloy was analyzed. The main mechanisms of material strengthening are discussed.