Grain Size

and its
effect on
mechanical
properties
By: N K Acharya,
Consultant Metallurgist

Grain size Specifics

Grain size specifics

The grain size of carbon and alloy steels is generally understood to
mean prior austenitic grain size. On heating steel through its critical
range, transformation to austenite takes place.
The austenite grains are extremely small when first formed, but grow
in size as the time and temperature are increased.
The grain size remains small for steels held at temperatures just above
the (upper) critical.
At higher temperatures, different steels show wide variation in grain
size, depending on chemical composition and steelmaking (deN K Acharya
Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016
oxidation and prior
treatment)
practices.

Grain Refining Additives

Steels containing elements such as Al and V produce finely dispersed,

not readily soluble and highly refractory carbides or oxides, and
maintain a slow rate of grain growth at 925C and above.
Steels without these elements usually develop a relatively large
austenitic grain size at temperatures somewhat below this
temperature.
If you overheat steels with grain refinement additions, allowing the
fine, dispersed phases to dissolve or coalesce, it is possible that a
larger grain size than in case of alloys without the grain refinement
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016
additions.

Grain size effect on properties

Grain size has a measurable effect on most mechanical properties.

At room temperature, hardness, yield strength, tensile strength,
fatigue strength and impact strength all increase with decreasing
grain size.
Effect on machinability is that in rough machining coarse grain size
gives better results while fine grain size is better for finish machining
.
The grain size has the greatest effect on properties are related to the
early stages of
deformation, i.e. yield stress is more dependent on
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016
grain size than tensile strength.

Grain size effect on properties

Fine-grain steels are shallow hardening and have less tendency to

crack than coarse-grain steels of similar analysis.
Fine-grain steels have greater fatigue resistance, as well as a greater
toughness and shock resistance.
Machinability of steels with aluminum have inferior machinability
compared to those without aluminum.
Cold working alters grain size by promoting more rapid coarsening of
the grains in critically stressed areas.
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Grain Size and Mechanical Properties

The original grain size characteristics, can usually be restored by stress

relieving.
The creep and stress rupture properties of Coarse grained steels are
better since diffusion at high temperatures is impeded by sub-grain lowangle boundaries of coarse-grain steels.
Fine-grain steels do not harden quite as deeply and have less tendency
to crack than coarse-grain steels of similar analysis.
Fine-grain steels have greater fatigue resistance and greater toughness
and shock resistance.
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016

Grain Size and Mechanical Properties

Cold working alters grain size by promoting more rapid coarsening of
the grains in critically stressed areas.
The original grain size characteristics, can be restored by stress
relieving.
Coarse-grain steels have better creep and stress rupture properties
because diffusion at high temperatures is impeded by sub-grain lowangle boundaries present in them.

N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Measuring Grain size

Grain size is measured by observing the sample on the transverse

section on an optical microscope (not along the longitudinal section as
the grains are elongated by rolling).
The number of grains in a given area is determined by counting the
number of grains that intersect a given length of a random line, or by
comparison with reference pictures (standards).
Grain size can range from 00 to 14.0 (0.5080 to 0.0028 mm) according
to ASTM E112-96(2004).
For coarser structures, the number of grains can be counted manually
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016
within a certain
area, and then calculating the grain size.

Measurement of Grain Size

While measuring austenitic grain size, the time and temperature must
be constant to produce reproducible results.
The characteristics of the individual grains also add to the complication
of measurement.
First, the three-dimensional size of the grains is not constant and the
sectioning plane cuts through the grains at random.
On any cross section, a range of sizes is observed, none larger than
the cross section of the largest grain sampled.
Grain shape also varies, particularly as a function of grain size.
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Measurement of Grain Size

10

In the FCC metals (such as austenitic steels), there may be so-called

twin boundaries within the grains, produced by annealing or
deformation.
Twins are ignored if trying to define the grain size.
If trying to establish a relationship between microstructure and
properties (strength, for example), twin boundaries must be taken
into consideration as they influence dislocation movement, just as
grain boundaries do.
There also are pearlite packet boundaries in steels, and therefore,
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist
12/22/2016
one must know the purpose for measuring the grain size.

11

Software for Grain Size Measurement

There are many grain measurement Softwares.
Automated systems use simple menus and easy wizard guides;
use vertical, horizontal, concentric circle or diagonal line intercept
methods;
perform calculations according to ASTM standards;
calculate average grain size from multiple images; and
manually add or remove points.
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Standards for Grain Size Estimation 12

ASTM International (www.astm.org) has a number of standards for
determining the grain size of various materials. For steels, E11296(2004): Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
applies.
ASTM standards have also been introduced to deal with particular
situations including:
E930-99: Standard Test Methods for Estimating the Largest Grain
Observed in a Metallographic Section, (ALA Grain Size) to handle the
measurement of occasional very large grains present in an otherwise
uniform, fine grain
size
dispersion
N K Acharya
Consultant
Metallurgist
12/22/2016

Grain Size Measurement

13

In the FCC metals, there may be so-called twin boundaries within the grains,
produced by annealing or deformation.
Twins are ignored if trying to define the grain size.
However, if trying to establish a relationship between microstructure and properties
(strength, for example), twin boundaries must be taken into consideration as they
influence dislocation movement, just as grain boundaries do.
There also are pearlite packet boundaries in steels.

N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Standard Test Methods to Determine

Average Grain Size

14

E1382-97(2004): Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size Using
Semiautomatic and Automatic Image Analysis.
For coarser structures, the number of grains can be counted manually within a certain area,
and then calculating the grain size.
In measuring austenitic grain size, the time and temperature must be constant to produce
reproducible results
The characteristics of the individual grains also add to the complication of measurement.
First, the three-dimensional size of the grains is not constant and the sectioning plane cuts
through the grains at random.
Thus, on any cross section, a range of sizes is observed, none larger than the cross section
of the largest grain sampled. Grain shape also varies, particularly as a function of grain size.
N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

12/22/2016

Test Methods for Grain Size Measurement

N K Acharya Consultant Metallurgist

15

12/22/2016