Effect of thermomechanical processing on structure and properties of low carbon steels

The microstructure of one plain carbon and two microalloyed steels has been refined by two different thermomechanical processing schedules in a laboratory rolling mill. The factors controlling the structural refinement have been investigated. The results indicate that a combination of single/two stage rolling prior to reaustenitization treatment and finish rolling in the (α + γ) region followed by controlled cooling improves the mechanical properties by refining the ferrite grain size.