Effect of plastic deformation on the structure and mechanical properties of an ultra-low carbon interstitial-free steel in the monolithic material and as a component of a sandwich composite

The structure and mechanical properties of ultra-low carbon interstitial-free (IF) steel in the annealed state, after warm and cold rolling, and as a component of seven-layer steel–aluminum composite have been studied. A comparative analysis of the results of structural studies using optical microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy have revealed the possibility of the formation of an ultrafinegrained structure in a steel layer during rolling at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 520°C. It has been found that the seven-layer composite has higher strength properties as compared to monolithic samples of the IF steel after analogous regime of the warm rolling.