Effect of microstructure on mechanical properties of high carbon steel wire rod

In this study, the effect of pearlite microstructure on mechanical properties has been analyzed. The high carbon steel wire rods were treated by traditional salt-bath isothermal heat treatment and a new process, respectively. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the wire rods were tested with SEM and Instron 8501. The results shown that with the decrease of the isothermal holding temperature, the pearlite interlamellar spacing and pearlite colony size decreased and the mechanical properties of the wire rod increased. Especially the interlamellar spacing and pearlite colony size were decreased by new heat treatment observably. With the new treatment, the reductions of area increase.