DevelopmentofHigh-StrengthSteelWirewithSuperiorWeldability.pdfVIP

INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS Development of High-Strength Steel Wire with Superior Weldability * Hiromu IzumIda , Kenichi SHImIzu, Shinei TaKamura, Yasuhiro SHImoda, osamu momozawa and Teruyuki muraI High-carbon steel wires, such as piano, hard-drawn, or oil-tempered wire, are used for automotive and electronic parts. Despite their outstanding advantages in strength, ductility, and fatigue resistance, these wires are susceptible to fracture due to the brittle as-quenched martensite structure formed by welding. To overcome this problem, we have developed a high-strength steel wire that consists of a bainitic matrix phase to enhance weldability, by adding carbide former elements to low-carbon steel. The developed wire features 1) a finely recrystallized bainite phase in place of the brittle martensite phase even after welding treatment, 2) work hardening behavior and tensile strength equal to and 3) a softening resistance superior to those of a piano wire, 4) a low degradation in the tensile strength (approx. 4%) after welding, and 5) a fatigue limit equivalent to that of a piano wire after 2 × 106 rotational bending. Sumitomo (SEI) Steel Wire Corp. has already started supplying the wire and is currently working to broaden its application field. Keywords: steel wire, low carbon, high weldability, high strength, bainite phase 1. Introduction Table 1. Chemical composition of newly developed steel wire C Si Mn Cr 1-1 Development concept New wire 0.20 0.86 1.54 0.94 Owing to their superiority in strength, d