Effect of Various Prestrain Levels on the Microstructure of Heat Treated 0.14% Carbon Steel

Abstract

The effect of various prestrain levels on the microstructure of heat
treated 0.14%C steel was analyzed. Low carbon steel was heat treated
by first austenitising at 910°C and then quenched in water. The heat
treatment process was completed by reheating in the furnace and
holding at 700°C. The specimens were then subjected to prestrain levels
of 7%, 9%, 13%, and 20% in tension. Microstructural analysis was
carried out on specimens for the various prestrain values including the
unstrained. The results displayed that the microstructures of the different
specimens showed consistent changes with the increasing prestrain
values. Thus, the higher the prestrain value the finer the precipitate
particles.