# Influence of Mo and Ni Alloying on Recrystallization Kinetics and Phase Transformation in Quenched and Tempered Thick Steel Plates

## TL;DR

This study explores how adding molybdenum and nickel affects the microstructure and hardenability of thick steel plates during production.

## Contribution

The study reveals the distinct roles of Mo and Ni in recrystallization and phase transformation, emphasizing the need for combined alloying in thick steel plates.

## Key findings

- Molybdenum significantly increases the non-recrystallization temperature through solute drag.
- Nickel has a minor effect on recrystallization, likely due to stacking fault energy.
- Combined Mo–Ni additions are necessary to achieve fully martensitic microstructures in thick plates.

## Abstract

The production of heavy gauge quenched and tempered steel plates requires alloying strategies that ensure adequate hardenability and microstructural uniformity under limited cooling rates. Molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) are key elements in this context, as they influence both hot-working behavior and phase transformation kinetics. This study investigates the effect of Mo (0.25–0.50 wt%) and Ni (0–1.00 wt%) additions on static recrystallization and transformation behavior using laboratory thermomechanical simulations representative of thick plate rolling conditions. Multipass and double-hit torsion tests were performed to determine the non-recrystallization temperature (Tnr) and quantify softening kinetics, while dilatometry was employed to construct Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagrams and assess hardenability. Results indicate that Mo significantly increases Tnr and delays recrystallization through a solute drag mechanism, whereas Ni exerts a minor but measurable effect, likely associated with stacking fault energy rather than classical solute drag. Both elements reduce ferrite and bainite transformation temperatures, enhancing hardenability; however, Mo alone cannot suppress ferrite formation at practical cooling rates, requiring combined Mo–Ni additions to achieve fully martensitic microstructures. These findings provide insight into alloy design for thick plate applications and highlight the limitations of existing predictive models for Ni-containing steels.