Stress-State, Temperature, and Strain Rate Dependence of Vintage ASTM A7 Steel

The structure–property relationships of a vintage ASTM A7 steel is quantified in terms of stress state, temperature, and strain rate dependence. The microstructural stereology revealed primary phases to be 15.8% ± 2.6% pearlitic and 84.2% ± 2.6 ferritic with grain sizes of 13.3 μm ± 3.1 μm and 36.5 μm ± 7.0 μm, respectively. Manganese particle volume fractions represented 0.38–1.53% of the bulk material. Mechanical testing revealed a stress state dependence that showed a maximum strength increase of 85% from torsion to tension and a strain rate dependence that showed a maximum strength increase of 38% from 10−1 to 103 s−1at 20% strain. In tension, a negative strain rate sensitivity (nSRS) was observed in the quasi-static rate regime yet was positive when traversing from the quasi-static rates to high strain rates. Also, the A7 steel exhibited a significant ductility reduction as the temperature increased from ambient to 573 K (300 °C), which is uncommon for metals. The literature argues that dynamic strain aging (DSA) can induce the negative strain rate sensitivity and ductility reduction upon a temperature increase. Finally, a tension/compression stress asymmetry arises in this A7 steel, which can play a significant role since bending is prevalent in this ubiquitous structural material. Torsional softening was also observed for this A7 steel.