Factors affecting kinetics of strain aging in S275JRC steel

Abstract

The materials parameter i.e. microstructure as well as the processing factors i.e. aging time and temperature, the amount of plastic deformation, and residual stresses affecting the kinetic of strain ageing in the S275JRC steel were investigated in detail. For this purpose, 5 % pre-strained steel was aged at 160°C for different intervals. The ageing behavior was determined for the as-received (AR) and homogenization & normalizing heat treated (H+N heat treated) conditions. The yield stresses before and after aging process and, the hardness values of the aged steels were considered to calculate strain aging progress. It was shown that a noticeable increase in the yield strength, tensile strength and hardness values was observed for aged AR and H+N heat treated specimens. Moreover, the repetitive increase in the yield and ultimate tensile strength was believed to be a result of strain ageing.