A Study on the Effect of Aging on Mechanical Properties of Cold-Formed Non-quenched Steel via Nanoindentation

The effect of aging on the nanohardness, modulus and creep properties of non-quenched and tempered steel wire strengthened by cold forming to an area reduction of 37% was investigated by nanoindentation. It was found that aging at 300 °C can improve the nanohardness, modulus, wear resistance and creep resistance of the cold-drawn non-quenched and tempered steel. An aging time longer than 2 h is not necessary since the degree of improvement decreases. The creep procedure of all tested samples includes two distinct stages, the transient creep and steady-state creep. Aging treatment slows down the creep rate at the steady-state stage.