Enhancing tensile properties of ultrafine-grained medium-carbon steel utilizing fine carbides

► Tensile properties of UFG carbon steels were enhanced by imbedding fine carbides. ► Thinner pearltic lamellae induced finer carbides after caliber-rolling process. ► Superior tensile properties were attributed to the enhanced strain hardening rate. ► Yield-point phenomenon in UFG steels resulted from stronger effect of particle growth.