Optimization of mechanical properties of high-carbon pearlitic steels with Si and V additions

Abstract

Systematic research has been undertaken on the effects of single and combined additions of vanadium and silicon on the mechanical properties of pearlitic steels being developed for wire rod production. Mechanical test results demonstrate that the alloy additions are beneficial to the mechanical properties of the steels, especially the tensile strength. Silicon strengthens pearlite mainly by solid-solution strengthening of the ferrite phase. Vanadium increases the strength of pearlite mainly by precipitation strengthening of the pearlitic ferrite. When added separately, these elements produce relatively greater strengthening at higher transformation temperatures. When added in combination the behavior is different, and substantial strength increments are produced at all transformation temperatures studied (550 ЊC to 650 ЊC). The addition of silicon and vanadium to very-high-carbon steels (Ͼ0.8 wt pct C) also suppresses the formation of a network of continuous grain-boundary cementite, so that these hypereutectoid materials have high strength coupled with adequate ductility for cold drawing. A wiredrawing trial showed that total drawing reductions in area of 90 pct could be obtained, leading to final tensile strengths of up to 2540 MPa in 3.3-mm-diameter wires.

Structure of several historic blades at nanoscale

“…There are numerous reports on Cm morphology in modern alloyed steels. In many cases particles seemed plate-shaped and/or orders of magnitude larger [19][20][21][22]. Other authors found them more needle-or lath-shaped [22,23].…”

“…When reproducing Damascus steel, Verhoeven et al [42] found a correlation between vanadium content and Cm particle appearance. Also Han et al [20] concluded that vanadium may strengthen ferrite in high-carbon pearlitic steels by forming very small clusters with carbon.…”

Microstructure of a genuine Damascus sabre

“…Depending on that orientation, an orientation relationship cementite/ferrite occurs. Moreover, impurity elements may facilitate both the nucleation (in particular V [5,49] ) and the growth kinetics [51].…”

Continuous Cooling Transformation Temperature and Microstructures of Microalloyed Hypereutectoid Steels

“…However, it is noteworthy that the difference in the austenitic microstructure within the microalloyed hypereutectoid compositions examined in the present work is not as marked with incremental vanadium additions. Nonetheless, the highest content of vanadium in steel C (0.26 %) relative to A (0.17 %) and B (0.076 %) appears to provide an addition resistance to deformation, most likely due to solute drag and solid solution strengthening effects of the microalloying elements 30) in the hypereutectoid compositions that simultaneously complement the impact of the prior-austenite grain size.…”