Impacts of Warm Equal-Channel Angular Pressing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Granular Pearlitic Steel

Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) of granular pearlite high-carbon steel at 650 degrees C via the Bc route is thoroughly investigated. Together with microstructural evolution investigated through scanning and transmission electron microscopies, microtensile and microhardness testing are conducted for their mechanical properties. After four passes of warm deformation, the formed ultra-microduplex structure is found to contain both ferrite grains of size approximate to 0.45 mu m and cementite particles with the diameter of approximate to 0.3 mu m. The corresponding microhardness and tensile strength are observed to increase first, followed by a decrement with the number of deformations passes. Meanwhile, yield strength and yield ratio increase with the ECAP passes, along with a slight decrease in elongation. The fracture morphology also changes from many deep dimples before ECAP to many small dimples after ECAP application, denoting a typical ductile fracture of the pearlitic steel.

Automated summary

Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) of granular pearlite high-carbon steel at 650 degrees C via the Bc route was thoroughly investigated in this study. The microstructure evolved to an ultra-microduplex structure, with changes in microhardness, tensile strength, yield strength, and yield ratio. Fracture morphology shifted from deep dimples to small dimples, indicating a typical ductile fracture of the pearlitic steel after ECAP application.