Compressive Deformation of a Graphitized Carbon Steel at Room Temperature

The compressive plastic deformation of a graphitized carbon steel (0.43% C) with a ferrite–graphite microstructure on a universal testing machine at room temperature is studied. The steel is plastically deformed in the following two stages: compressive deformation at a displacement of ≤7.0 mm (reduction is e = 58.3%) and deformation at a displacement of >7.0 mm. The changes in the load, the barrel distortion, the relative elongation of the end-face surface, and the Vickers hardness of compressive specimens are different for compressive deformation before and after a displacement of ≤7.0 mm. Three deformation zones are distinguished in a deformed specimen. Moreover, the microdeformation of graphite in three different deformability zones during compressive deformation is always higher than that of ferrite because of the layered structure of graphite.