Effect of cold plastic deformation on the structure of granular pearlite in carbon steels

Abstract

Carbon steel with a structure of granular pearlite has been investigated by methods of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy as a function of the degree of cold deformation. It has been shown that with increasing degree of deformation the microstructure of the ferritic constituent changes regularly from dislocation to cellular and to microbanded. It has been established that the structural state of the granular pearlite is stable upon deformation to 50%. An increase in the carbon concentration in the ferrite occurs. Fragmentation of carbide particles into blocks and their subsequent dissolution hawe been observed upon deformation exceeding 50%. Fine-dispersed globular carbides are formed in the ferrite matrix.