A mixed-control model was developed to study the transformation character of ferrite formation by a ledge mechanism. A nu- merical two-dimensional diffusion-field model was combined to describe the evolution of the diffusion field ahead of the migrating austenite/ferrite interface. The calculation results show that the bulk diffusion-controlled model leads to a deviation from experimental results under large solute supersaturation. In the mixed-control model, solute supersaturation and a parameter Z together determine the transformation character, which is quantified by the normalized concentration of carbon in austenite at the austenite/ferfite interface. By comparing with experimental data, thepre-exponential factor of interface mobility, M0, is estimated within the range from 0.10 to 0.60 mol-m·J^-1·s^-1 for the alloys with 0.1 lwt%-0.49wt% C at 700-740℃. For a certain Fe-C alloy, the trend of the transformation character relies on the magnitude of M0 as the transformation temperature decreases.
Effects of prior austenite deformation and non-metallic inclusions on the ferrite nucleation and grain refine- ment of two kinds of low-carbon steels have been studied. The ferrite nucleation on MnS and V（C, N） is observed. The combination of thermomeehanical processes with adequate amounts of non-metallic inclusions formed in low-car- bon steels could effectively refine the grain size and the microstructure. Ferrite nucleated on the single MnS or V（C, N） inclusions and complex MnS＋V（C,N） inclusion. The proper addition of elements S and V could effectively promote the formation of ferrite and further refinement of ferrite grains.
