Structural evolutions and mechanical properties of IF steel deformed by differential speed rolling at various per-pass-thickness reductions

Abstract In the present work, the effects of thickness reduction per pass introduced by differential speed rolling (DSR) on microstructure and texture evolutions and related mechanical properties of interstitial-free (IF) steel samples were investigated. For this purpose, the samples were subjected to DSR deformation at various per-pass-thickness reductions; 10% (14 passes), 30% (4 passes), and 50% (2 passes). The results showed that the DSR deformation at a high thickness reduction per pass (50%) leads to ultrafine grained structure (∼0.5 μm) with significant fractions of high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs). This structure was conjugated with a high strength and low ductility as compared to those in the non-deformed sample.