Static Strain Aging Behavior of Low Carbon Steel Drawn Wire

The static strain aging behavior of low carbon steel wires after drawing process is studied. To do so, the wires are austenitized at different temperatures and cooled in different rates. Then the wires are drawn and aged at a specific temperature and time. Before and after aging of each drawn wire, the hardness distribution at its cross section is measured. The increase in hardness due to aging is called aging index. The results show that the hardness of drawn wire is increased from center to surface of its cross section. However, after aging the hardness is decreased from center to surface. In addition, with increasing the austenitizing temperature, the index is increased. Also, with increasing the cooling rate, the index is decreased. Moreover, the aging index is decreased from center to surface.