A study of the influence of strain path change on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon steel using plate and bar rolling

This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of strain path changes with reference to rolling. The fundamental idea considered is to utilize the characteristics of plate rolling and bar rolling. Plate rolling is characterized as monotonic compressive loading while bar rolling is characterized as cross compressive loading. A four-pass plate rolling and bar rolling experiment was designed so that the material experiences the same amount of strain at each pass during rolling. The rolling experiment was carried out at moderately high temperatures (450, 550 and 650 degreesC). The microstructures and mechanical properties of a low carbon steel acquired from two types of rolling experiments were compared. The results revealed that the differences in strain path attributed to monotonic loading (plate rolling) and cross loading (bar rolling) significantly influenced microstructures and mechanical properties.