Strengthening of Pearlitic Steel by Ferrite/Cementite Elastic Misfit Strain

The strength of pearlitic steel was clearly reduced by annealing, even though cementite stably maintained a lamellar structure. In response, lattice strain of the ferrite phase in pearlite monotonically decreased with increasing annealing time. As a result, a good linear relationship was established between the strength and ferrite lattice strain independent of the interlamellar spacing and morphology of cementite. This suggests that the ferrite/cementite elastic misfit strain contributes to the high strength of pearlitic steel.