Relaxation Processes near Inclusions and at Inclusion/Matrix Interfaces

The relaxation processes that occur near nonmetallic inclusions and take place when thermal and strain stresses appear are discussed. These processes contribute to the formation of local mesoscopic substructures characterized by inhomogeneous dislocation density, plastic rotations, local deformation bands, and slip along inclusion/matrix interfaces. The effect of these processes on the local structural changes in a steel matrix, which determine the role of nonmetallic inclusions and inclusion/matrix interfaces in the formation of a heterogeneous steel structure under various deformation and heat conditions, is shown.