The effects of alloying elements on tensile strength and the occurrence of delamination in cold-drawn hyper-eutectoid steel wires

The effects of alloying elements and initial interlamellar spacing on tensile strength and the occurrence of delamination in cold-drawn hyper-eutectoid steel wires were investigated under equivalent drawing conditions. The initial interlamellar spacing showed little influence on the occurrence of delamination. The addition of Cr effectively increased attainable tensile strength, since the added Cr not only increased tensile strength but also delayed delamination. The addition of Ni also increased attainable tensile strength, since the effect of the added Ni on delaying delamination prevailed over the tendency to decrease tensile strength and work hardening. The addition of Cr increased the attainable tensile strength more effectively than the addition of Ni in cold-drawn hyper-eutectoid steel wires, although the added Ni markedly delayed delamination-associated strain.