Herein, the effects of height-diameter ratios (H/D) on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of 0.4C-Si-Mn-Cr steel during high temperature deformation are reported. The compression experiments were performed on steel samples using Gleeble to obtain a reasonable deformation temperature, and the degree of deformation was assessed in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 H/D via forging. The forged specimens were quenched using the same heat treatment process. The hardness and impact toughness of the steel samples were tested before and after heat treatment. Grain sizes gradually increased with an increase in the compression temperature from 950 °C to 1150 °C, and the grain sizes decreased with an increase in H/D. The microstructure of the steel samples contained pearlite, bainite, martensite, and retained austenite phase. The microstructure after forging was more uniform and finer as compared to that of as-cast steel samples. The hardness and impact toughness of the steel samples were evaluated after forging; hardness first increased and then decreased with an increase in H/D, while the impact toughness continuously increased with an increase in H/D. Hence, the microstructure and properties of steel could be improved via high temperature deformation, and this was primarily related to grain refinement.
Keywords: deformation; height-diameter ratio; impact toughness; pearlite.