Influence of annealing on strength of ultrafine grained low carbon steels by ECAP

In the present study, ultra fine-grained low carbon steel samples were processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). Mechanical properties of the specimens annealed statically at several temperatures were evaluated by tensile and hardness test. In addition, grain sizes of the specimens were measured by SEM-electron back scattering pattern (SEM-EBSP) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement also evaluated thermal reactions in anneal process of the specimen. As a result, the grain size was changed at the temperature between 550°C and 600°C drastically and the tensile strength also became lower at the same temperature. The relation between yield stress and averaged grain diameter of specimens obeyed the Hall-Petch relation except the normalized specimen. Behavior of grain growth and recovery in structural observation by EBSP corresponded to reaction signal of the DSC curve. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.