Grain boundary engineering (GBE) is considered to be an attractive approach to microstructure control, which significantly enhances the grain-boundary-related properties of face-centered cubic (FCC) metals. During the twinning-related GBE, the microstructures are characterized as abundant special twin boundaries that sufficiently disrupt the connectivity of the random boundary network. However, controlling the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) is an extremely difficult issue, as it strongly depends on diverse processing parameters. This article provides a comprehensive review of controlling GBCD during the twinning-related GBE of FCC materials. To commence, this review elaborates on the theory of twinning-related GBE, the microscopic mechanisms used in the optimization of GBCD, and the optimization objectives of GBCD. Aiming to achieve control over the GBCD, the influence of the initial microstructure, thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) routes, and thermal deformation parameters on the twinning-related microstructures and associated evolution mechanisms are discussed thoroughly. Especially, the development of twinning-related kinetics models for predicting the evolution of twin density is highlighted. Furthermore, this review addresses the applications of twinning-related GBE in enhancing the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of FCC materials. Finally, future prospects in terms of controlling the GBCD during twinning-related GBE are proposed. This study will contribute to optimizing the GBCD and designing GBE routes for better grain-boundary-related properties in terms of FCC materials.

In thermal deformation of materials, grain refinement induced by dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is often pursued to obtain excellent mechanical properties. Here, the thermal deformation behaviors of SAE 5137H steel were investigated and characterized at temperature and strain rate range of 1123–1483 K and 0.01–10 s−1. Meanwhile, a design approach in speed-loading paths for grain refinement during current-heating compression was proposed, and these paths are linked to a typical three-dimensional (3D) response surface. Depending on the acquired stress–strain curves, the flow behaviors of this steel were analyzed and the typical 3D processing map was constructed to clarify the stable processing parameter domains during the continuous deformation process. Then, by the typical 3D processing map and microstructure observation, the 3D deformation mechanism map was constructed to connect the processing parameters and microstructural mechanisms. Subsequently, the 3D activation energy map was constructed to evaluate these deformation mechanisms, and the enhanced deformation mechanism map was constructed. Eventually, based on the enhanced deformation mechanism map, the speed-loading paths for SAE 5137H steel during current-heating compression were designed and they are mapped in a 3D response surface.

In order to obtain the desired mechanical properties of products, an innovative method of loading parameter designs for acquiring the desired grain refinement is proposed, and it has been applied in the compression process of Ni80A superalloy. The deformation mechanism maps derived from processing maps based on the Dynamic Materials Model (DMM) theory were constructed, since the critical indicator values corresponding to dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and dynamic recovery (DRV) mechanisms were determined. The processing-parameter domains with DRX mechanisms were separated from the deformation mechanism map, while such domains were chaotic and difficult to apply in innovative parameter loading path design. The speed-loading path derived from strain rate-loading path in a compression process was pursued. The grain refinement domains are discretized into a finite series of sub-domains with clear processing parameters, and the optimal strain rate of each sub-domain is determined by step-by-step finite element simulation. A 3D response surface of the innovative optimal loading path of strain rate was fitted by interpolating methods. Finally, the isothermal compression experiments for Ni80A superalloy were conducted, and the microstructure observations indicated that the desired grain refinement was achieved. This innovative method of parameter loading path design contributes to the microstructure adjustment of the alloys with DRX mechanism.

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The spatiotemporal phase transformation during hot stamping would considerably effect the microstructure and mechanical properties of steels. In order to manufacture hot-stamping components of ultra-high-strength steel with tailored mechanical properties, the effect of the quenching time and the temperature of the die on the phase-transformation characteristics and mechanical property of ultra-high-strength steel was deeply studied. A finite element (FE) model coupled with a thermomechanical phase was employed to perform a succession of simulations for hot stamping corresponding to different quenching times and the temperatures of die, and the corresponding hot stamping experiments were performed. The 3D mapping surfaces of the temperature; quenching time; and three microstructures, namely austenite, bainite, and martensite, were constructed, and the mapping relationships in such surfaces were further explained by microstructural observations. Subsequently, based on the test results of the mechanical properties, the relationship curves of hardness and tensile strength, hardness, and elongation at break were fitted respectively, and then the 3D mapping surfaces were constructed for hardness, tensile strength, and elongation at break, which varied with the temperature die and quenching time. Finally, the quenching parameters of the automobile B-pillar were designed according to the constructed mapping relationship, and the hot-stamping FE simulation of the automobile B-pillar was developed. The result shows that those constructed mapping surfaces are helpful for adjusting the local mechanical property of the steels by designing the parameters.