The Influence of Microstructure on the Electromagnetic Behavior of Carbon Steel Wires

Abstract

This paper describes the relations between microstructure, mechanical properties, and electromagnetic behavior of carbon steel wires submitted to different thermomechanical treatments. The electrical resistivity and bulk magnetic properties are determined through resistivity measurements down to 2 K and magnetic hysteresis loop measurements. In addition, magnetic domains are imaged by magnetic force microscopy despite the complex microstructures. The electromagnetic properties are mainly related to changes in the volume fraction, morphology, and distribution of the cementite phase within the α-ferrite matrix. Electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability increase in the order of martensite, tempered martensite, pearlite, proeutectoid ferrite-pearlite, spheroidite, and ferrite microstructures. The increase in carbon concentration enhances the electrons localization at atomic sites, assisting the covalent character of Fe–C interatomic bonds and thereby reducing conductivity. Moreover, the α-Fe3C interfaces that act as a physical barrier for dislocation slip in ferrite, affecting also the main free-paths for conductive electrons and magnetic domain walls displacements within the materials. As the electromagnetic behavior of steels results from individual contributions of microstructural elements that are often intrinsically related to one another, a careful interpretation of both electrical and magnetic responses is critical for a proper application of quality and process monitoring methods of carbon steel wires.

Correlative Analysis of Microstructural and Magnetic Characteristics of Dual‐Phase High‐Carbon Steel

“…Hence, the differences in magnetic properties are consistent with former studies that have noted the relation between coercivity and microstructural features, specifically that coercivity is a structurally sensitive magnetic property. [ 40,41 ] From previous studies, a grain size reduction increases the pinning to the magnetic domain's walls, contributing to the increase in coercivity. [ 42 ] The sample subjected to the maximum compression has the highest saturation magnetization, but the lowest coercivity and remanence.…”

“…However, some predominant factors, such as internal stress, inclusion, dislocation, grain size, shape anisotropy, and interparticle interaction, were found to influence the coercivity of the samples. [40,43,44]…”

Mathematical Modeling of Heating and Strain Aging of Steel during High-Speed Wire Drawing

“…Wire can be obtained through various metal forming processes, namely rolling [2,3], extrusion [4] and drawing [5][6][7], or an effective combination of them. However, drawing remains the most widespread method of wire production [8,9]. Overall, it seems simple, but this is one of the most difficult types of metal forming.…”