Effect of Cu on the Microstructure and Properties of Hot Rolled Low Carbon Steels

This study explores the impact of Cu addition on the mechanical properties of hot rolled low carbon steel. LCu and HCu steels with 0.6wt% Cu and 1.1 wt% Cu, respectively, are subjected to specific heat treatments that involves soaking the as-cast steels at 1250 ℃ for 2 h, followed by hot rolling at 1050 ℃ with 60% reduction in thickness, and thereafter air cooled to room temperature. A novel combination of ferrite and pearlite volume %, resulting from a carefully designed processing schedule, leads to a remarkable enhancement in the strength of HCu steel. Interestingly, HCu steel excels in hardness and yield strength, while LCu steel outperforms in ductility and strain hardening. Overall, this study firmly establishes the relationship between microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the investigated steels.