Methodology of High-Carbon Wire Rod Perlite Grain Grade Identification

Abstract

The quality of the high-carbon rod is determined by mechanical properties, which depend on microstructure characteristics, in particular the perlite grain grade. The existing technique for determining the perlite dispersion has the main drawback - the subjectivity of choosing the five worst view fields for evaluation, which reduces the accuracy of the determination results. The article presents the results of a study aimed at increasing the objectivity and accuracy of the evaluation of high-carbon wire rod perlite grain grade. An improved technique for determining the high-carbon wire rod perlite grain grade – Pgg with five view fields is proposed. The cross-section of the rod sample is considered as an inhomogeneous area from the perlite dispersion point of view, which is divided into three annular zones with different levels of perlite dispersion. Selection of five view fields is carried out as follows: one from the center of the central zone, two fields in the second - an intermediate zone and two fields in the outer zone. Statistical analysis of the experimental data showed that all view fields should be located on the same diagonal. The location of the view fields is fixed and is unchangeable for all samples under study. The technique described in the article is an effective tool for analyzing the structure of high-carbon steel wire rod.