A Study on the Effects of Cold Deformation on CMnSi Steel Structures Utilised in the Shipbuilding Industry

Abstract This article analyses the effects of deformation on the structure of CMnSi steel at various deformation levels. After hot forging, the structure of CMnSi steel comprises coarse-sized alpha and pearlite particles. The average grain size of steel after forging was 100 μm. After hot rolling, the grain size gradually decreases, with the average size of the ferrite and pearlite grains measured as 60 μm. After that, CMnSi steel was subjected to cold deformation at levels of 40%, 60%, and 80%. The grain size of the CMnSi steel sample after 80% cold deformation reached level 7, corresponding to about 25 μm. For a deformation level of 40%, the grain size was level 5, corresponding to 40 μm, while a deformation level of 60% produced a grain size of 35 μm, corresponding to level 6. In addition, scanning electron microscopy showed that after 80% deformation, smaller particles with a size of about 5 μm appear inside the parent particles. Moreover, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed the carbide appearance in the form M23C6, with M being a mixture of Fe and Mn. These carbides have a fine size of about 1–2 μm and contribute to the prevention of particle growth during subsequent heat treatments.