The Deformation and Ageing of Mild Steel: III Discussion of Results

An attempt is made here to explain the observed phenomena in the yielding and ageing of mild steel, described in two previous papers, in the general terms of a grain-boundary theory. On this hypothesis, a satisfactory explanation of the variation of the lower yield point with grain size may be developed. It is shown that strain-ageing must involve two processes: a healing of the grain-boundary films, coupled with a hardening in the grains themselves. A discussion of the possible nature of the grain-boundary film is also undertaken.