Warm deformation behavior of medium carbon steel with different initial microstructures

Specimens with ferrite + pearlite (F + P) and martensite (M) microstructures were compressed under warm conditions. The flow curves of quenched specimens were below those of annealed specimens at 873–973 K (600–700 °C) and a strain rate of 0.001 s−1. This was due to the tempering and dynamic recrystallization of martensite.

► Effect of initial microstructure on warm forming behavior in medium carbon steel.
► The flow stress of ferrite + pearlite is higher than that of martensite at 873–973 K.
► Warm deformation promotes tempering and dynamic recrystallization in martensite.