Effect of thermomechanical controlled processing on mechanical properties of 490 MPa grade low carbon cold heading steel

Thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) of low carbon cold heading steel in different austenite conditions were conducted by a laboratory hot rolling mill. Effect of various processing parameters on the mechanical properties of the steel was investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the low carbon cold heading steel could be significantly improved by TMCP without heat treatment. The improvement of mechanical properties can be attributed mainly to the ferrite grain refinement due to low temperature rolling. In the experiments the better ultimate tensile strength and ductility are obtained by lowering finishing cooling temperature within the temperature range from 650 °C to 550 °C since the interlamellar space in pearlite colonies become smaller. Good mechanical properties can be obtained in a proper austenite condition and thermomechanical processing parameter. The ferrite morphology has a more pronounced effect on the mechanical behavior than refinement of the microstructure. It is possible to realize the replacement of medium-carbon by low-carbon for 490 MPa grade cold heading steel with TMCP.