Recrystallization of submicrocrystalline niobium upon heating above and below the temperature of thermally activated nucleation

The recrystallization of a niobium submicrocrystalline structure created by high-pressure torsion at room temperature has been investigated. It has been shown that continuous recrystallization begins at just 300°С. It has been characterized by the nonuniform growth of microcrystallites, which prevents the formation of a uniform submicrograin structure. The formation of thermally activated recrystallization nuclei at 900°C increases the nonuniformity of grain size and somehow refines recrystallized grains.