Effect of Microstructural Morphology on the Cavity formation of 0.17%C Low Alloy Steel and 0.32%C Steel

Abstract

Carbides and non- metallic inclusions, present in steels are found to be
sites for cavity formation during plastic straining. It is therefore
necessary to study how the carbide particle morphology affects the
formation of cavities To achieve this, the samples were spherodized and
the microstructure was obtained. The samples were then prestrained into
three strain level (0.3, 0.4 and 0.45), immersed in liquid nitrogen and
thereafter fractured by impact. The cavities were viewed with scanning
electron microscope. The results showed that the cavities produced is a
direct function of the carbide volume fraction, shape and carbide particle
type. The 0.17%C low alloy steel was found to have more cavities
when compared to 0.32%C steel