Formation of ultrafine-grain structure in carbon steel by high-temperature high-speed compression

Abstract

Increasing the rate of plastic deformation considerably changes the microstructure of metals. The structure and properties of metals are determined by factors such as the pressure (or pulse), the strain rate (or duration of the process), and the temperature. The influence of high-speed deformation on the microstructure of materials is studied. After high-speed deformation of steel 20 samples by means of the Gleeble 3500 system, at 800, 900, 1000, and 1200°C, their microstructure and microhardness are determined. In principle, the grain size in low-carbon steel 20 may be reduced to around 400 nm by fast deformation at 800–1000°C, as in profound plastic deformation with little or no heating of the metal (not exceeding the recrystallization temperature).