Determination of the cause of local decarburization in 20G2R steel wire rod after annealing

One of the key quality indicators for coiled steel products, which is standardized and monitored during certification, is the depth of the decarburized layer on the surface. This layer forms during both rolling and heat treatment. Decarburization and scale formation significantly reduce the mechanical properties of the surface layers of steel products, making the surface more susceptible to scratches, scoring, and other defects during rolling, calibration, and cold heading. The formation of a decarburized layer necessitates additional machining costs, leading to increased metal waste and the disposal of a considerable amount of steel. This article presents an experimental study aimed at identifying one of the causes of localized decarburization in 20G2R steel wire rod after annealing.