Microstructural characterization, mechanical properties and recrystallization kinetics of low carbon steel wires

The present study deals with two steel wires containing different amount of carbon. The optical and Secondary Electron microscopy (SEM) are used to identify the microstructure of steels in as-received and deformed conditions. The results show that the mechanical and structural properties are affected by the carbon content. It is found that the kinetics of primary recrystallization is described by Avrami law at 500 degrees C and the rate of primary recrystallization depends on carbon content. The two parameters (k and n) in Avrami law are calculated and the activation energy for primary recrystallization is found to be lower for the low carbon content steel.