Fracture behaviour of high-strength cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires: The role of non-metallic inclusions

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of non-metallic inclusions in the fracture behaviour of high-strength cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires. To this end, a metallographic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was performed of the microstructural defects in pearlitic steels and their evolution with the manufacturing process by cold drawing, analysing the consequences of such defects on the isotropic/anisotropic fracture behaviour of the different steels. Results show the very relevant role of non-metallic inclusions in the fracture behaviour of high-strength cold-drawn pearlitic steel wires.