[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steel plate and a method for manufacturing the
same, and more particularly, to a steel plate having high strength characteristics
and excellent workability and a method for manufacturing the same.
[Background Art]
[0002] As a structural member of a commercial vehicle and heavy equipment according to the
related art, a plate having a thickness of 12 to 14 mm and a tensile strength of 440
MPa or more and manufactured by a thick plate process has been mainly used, but recently,
a technique using a high-strength steel material having a tensile strength of 550
MPa or more has been developed for weight reductions and high strength. In particular,
an ultra-thick steel material having a thickness of 15 to 25 mm that is applied to
a large commercial vehicle, a special vehicle, and a heavy equipment part has been
manufactured by a thick plate process, but a measure to apply a hot rolling process
has been required to secure price competitiveness.
[0003] However, when a high-strength ultra-thick steel material is manufactured in a hot
rolling process, it is difficult to form a uniform microstructure due to difficulties
under high pressure during rolling, such that it is difficult to secure a stable yield
strength, cracks are likely to occur during manufacturing of parts, and durability
lifespan may be deteriorated due to a local stress concentration during use.
[0004] In this regard, as for a steel material in the related art, Patent Document 1 has
proposed a technique in which an austenite region is subjected to general hot rolling
and then coiling is performed at a high temperature to form a ferrite phase as a matrix
structure and a fine precipitate so as to secure strength and ductility, or Patent
Document 2 has proposed a technique in which a coiling temperature is cooled to a
temperature at which a bainite phase is formed as a matrix structure so as not to
generate a coarse pearlite structure, and then coiling is performed. In addition,
Patent Document 3 has proposed a technique of refining austenite grains through reductions
of two or more times at 20 to 40% in a non-recrystallized region during hot rolling
by using Ti, Nb, and the like.
[0005] However, alloy components such as Si, Mn, Al, Mo, and Cr, which are mainly used in
the above techniques for manufacturing high-strength thick steel, are effective in
improving strength, but when a large amount of alloy components are added, segregation
and non-uniformity of the microstructure occur, resulting in deterioration of workability,
and microcracks generated on a shear surface easily propagate in a fatigue environment,
resulting in breakage of parts. In particular, as a thickness of the steel is increased,
microstructure non-uniformity between a thickness surface portion and a central portion
may be increased, such that a local stress concentration is increased and a propagation
speed of cracks in a fatigue environment is also increased, resulting in deterioration
of durability.
[0006] In addition, it is effective to use precipitate-forming elements such as Ti, Nb,
and V in order to refine grains of the thick steel material and obtain a precipitation
strengthening effect, and when a cooling rate is not controlled during cooling after
coiling at a high temperature of 500 to 700°C at which precipitates are easily formed
or hot rolling, coarse carbides are formed in the thickness central portion of the
thick steel material, such that the quality of the shear surface is deteriorated.
[0007] In addition, the application of a reduction amount of 20 to 40% twice or more in
the non-recrystallized region during hot rolling may be easily applied to a thin product,
but it is difficult to apply when manufacturing a thick product with a small total
rolling reduction compared to the thin product.
[Related Art Documents]
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a high-strength steel plate having
excellent yield strength and elongation and prevents cracks when formed because a
uniform microstructure is secured during a hot-rolling process of a steel material,
and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0010] An object of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. The
object of the present disclosure will be understood from the general contents of the
present specification, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure
pertains will have no difficulties in understanding the additional objects of the
present disclosure.
[Technical Solution]
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a steel plate contains, by wt%,
0.05 to 0.15% of C, 0.01 to 1.0% of Si, 1.0 to 2.0% of Mn, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, 0.01
to 0.1% of Al, 0.001 to 0.02% of P, 0.001 to 0.01% of S, 0.001 to 0.01% of N, 0.005
to 0.11% of Ti, 0.005 to 0.07% of Nb, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities,
wherein an R value defined in the following Relational Expression 1 satisfies 0.3
to 1.0,
a surface portion (where t represents a thickness of the steel plate) in a range of
0 to t/4 and a central portion (not including t/4) in a range of t/4 to t/2 based
on a cross section each contain, by area%, 90% or more of ferrite and bainite in total,
less than 5% of pearlite and carbides having a diameter of 0.5 µm or more, and less
than 5% of a martensite and austenite (MA) phase, as a microstructure,
a product (YSxT-El) of a yield strength and an elongation of the steel plate is 16,000
MPa·% or more, and
a thickness of the steel plate is 10 mm or more.

([C], [Mn], [P], [S], [Si], [Nb], and [Ti] in Relational Expression 1 represent wt%
of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[0012] The thickness of the steel plate may be 15 mm or more.
[0013] The pearlite and the carbides having a diameter of 0.5 µm or more may be 3% or less
and the MA phase may be 3% or less, in terms of area% in the central portion of the
steel plate.
[0014] The bainite may be 20% or less, the pearlite and the carbides having a diameter of
0.5 µm or more may be less than 2%, and the MA phase may be 3% or less, in terms of
area% in the surface portion of the steel plate.
[0015] A difference between an average hardness value and a maximum hardness value of hardness
values measured at intervals of 0.5 mm from a point located at 0.5 mm directly below
a surface of a specimen to a point located at 0.5 mm directly below a back surface
based on an arbitrary line perpendicular to a thickness cross section of the steel
plate may be 20 Hv or less.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing
a steel plate includes: reheating a steel slab containing, by wt%, 0.05 to 0.15% of
C, 0.01 to 1.0% of Si, 1.0 to 2.0% of Mn, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, 0.01 to 0.1% of Al,
0.001 to 0.02% of P, 0.001 to 0.01% of S, 0.001 to 0.01% of N, 0.005 to 0.11% of Ti,
0.005 to 0.07% of Nb, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and satisfying
an R value defined in the following Relational Expression 1 of 0.3 to 1.0;
hot rolling the reheated steel slab in a temperature range of 800 to 1,150°C at a
reduction ratio of 20 to 50% so as to have a thickness of 10 mm or more and performing
hot rolling which is finished in a temperature range of Tn-50 to Tn defined in the
following Relational Expression 2;
performing first cooling on the hot-rolled steel plate to a temperature range of 450
to 550°C at a cooling rate equal to or higher than CRMin defined in the following Relational Expression 3 and then coiling the cooled hot-rolled
steel plate; and
performing second cooling on the coiled steel plate.

([C], [Mn], [P], [S], [Si], [Nb], and [Ti] in Relational Expression 1 represent wt%
of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)

[0017] (In Relational Expression 2, a unit of Tn is °C, and [C], [Mn], [Cr], [Nb], [Ti],
and [Si] represent wt% of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[0018] (t in Relational Expression 2 is a thickness (mm) of a final rolled plate)

[0019] (In Relational Expression 3, a unit of CR
Min is °C/s, and [C], [Si], [Mn], [Cr], [Ti], and [Nb] represent wt% of the corresponding
alloying elements, respectively)
[0020] The reheating may be performed in a temperature range of 1,200 to 1,350°C.
[0021] During the first cooling, the cooling rate may be 80°C/sec or less.
[0022] During the second cooling, air cooling or water cooling may be performed to a temperature
range of room temperature to 200°C.
[Advantageous Effects]
[0023] As set forth above, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible
to provide a steel plate having high strength characteristics and excellent workability
because it has excellent tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, and a method
for manufacturing the same.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide
a high-strength steel plate used for structural members of a large commercial vehicle,
such as a wheel rim, a disk, members, and a frame, and a method for manufacturing
the same.
[Description of Drawings]
[0025]
FIG. 1 illustrates products (YSxT-El) of a yield strength and an elongation and differences
(ΔH) between an average hardness value and a maximum hardness value at thickness cross
sections of Inventive Steels and Comparative Steels.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate hardness value distributions at the thickness cross sections
of Inventive Steels and Comparative Steels, respectively.
[Best Mode for Invention]
[0026] Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure will be described.
The exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure may be modified in various forms,
and the scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted to be limited to
the exemplary embodiments set forth below. The exemplary embodiments are provided
in order to describe the present disclosure in more detail to those skilled in the
art to which the present disclosure pertains.
[0027] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present disclosure have
investigated a distribution of microstructures and detailed material changes for each
thickness direction according to components and hot rolling and cooling conditions
for ultra-thick rolled steel materials having various components.
[0028] As a result, the inventors of the present disclosure have found that a measure of
imparting excellent yield strength and ductility to a thick hot-rolled steel plate,
and in particular, have found that in a microstructure of a steel plate having a certain
thickness or more, uniformity is secured and thus a hardness distribution in a thickness
direction may be constant, thereby completing the present disclosure.
[0029] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0030] Hereinafter, a steel composition of the present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0031] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, % indicating a content of
each element is based on weight.
[0032] A steel plate according to an aspect of the present disclosure may contain, by wt%,
0.05 to 0.15% of C, 0.01 to 1.0% of Si, 1.0 to 2.0% of Mn, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, 0.01
to 0.1% of Al, 0.001 to 0.02% of P, 0.001 to 0.01% of S, 0.001 to 0.01% of N, 0.005
to 0.11% of Ti, 0.005 to 0.07% of Nb, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities.
Carbon (C): 0.05 to 0.15%
[0033] Carbon (C) is the most economical and effective element for strengthening steel,
and when the amount of C added is increased, a precipitation strengthening effect
or a bainite phase fraction is increased, resulting in an increase in tensile strength.
When a thickness of a hot-rolled steel plate is increased, a cooling rate in a thickness
central portion becomes slow during cooling after hot rolling, and thus, when a content
of carbon (C) is large, coarse carbides or pearlite is easily formed. When the content
of carbon (C) is less than 0.05%, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient strengthening
effect, and when the content thereof exceeds 0.15%, coarse carbides or a pearlite
phase and a band structure are formed in the thickness central portion, such that
workability is deteriorated, durability is deteriorated, and weldability is also deteriorated.
[0034] Therefore, the content of carbon (C) may be 0.05 to 0.15%. More preferably, the content
of carbon (C) may be 0.06% or more and may be 0.12% or less.
Silicon (Si): 0.01 to 1.0%
[0035] Silicon (Si) has an effect of deoxidizing molten steel and a solid solution strengthening
effect, and is only an element advantageous for improving the workability by delaying
formation of coarse carbides. When a content of silicon (Si) is less than 0.01%, the
solid solution strengthening effect is insufficient, and the effect of delaying formation
of carbides is also insufficient, such that it is difficult to improve the workability.
When the content thereof exceeds 1.0%, a phase transformation temperature is increased,
such that during hot rolling of a low-temperature region of an ultra-thick steel material,
coarse grains are easily formed due to rolling of a local ferrite region in a surface
portion, a red scale by silicon (Si) is formed on a surface of the steel plate, such
that the surface quality of the steel plate is significantly deteriorated and ductility
and weldability are also deteriorated.
[0036] Therefore, the content of silicon (Si) may be 0.01 to 1.0%. More preferably, the
content of silicon (Si) may be 0.1% or more and may be 0.9% or less.
Manganese (Mn): 1.0 to 2.0%
[0037] Similar to Si, manganese (Mn) is an element that is effective in strengthening solid
solution of steel, and facilitates formation of a bainite phase during cooling after
hot rolling by increasing hardenability of steel. When a content of manganese (Mn)
is less than 1.0%, the above effect according to the addition may not be obtained,
and when the content thereof exceeds 2.0%, the hardenability is significantly increased,
such that martensite phase transformation is likely to occur, and formation of pearlite
is promoted during high-temperature coiling. In addition, in a casting process, a
segregation portion is significantly developed in a thickness central portion when
a slab is cast. When cooling is performed after hot rolling, a microstructure is non-uniformly
formed in a thickness direction, such that workability and durability are deteriorated.
[0038] Therefore, the content of manganese (Mn) may be 1.0 to 2.0%. More preferably, the
content of manganese (Mn) may be 1.1% or more.
Chromium (Cr): 0.005 to 1.0%
[0039] Chromium (Cr) is an element that strengthens solid solution of steel, and serves
to help formation of bainite by delaying ferrite phase transformation during cooling.
When a content of chromium (Cr) is less than 0.005%, the above effect according to
the addition may not be obtained, and when the content thereof exceeds 1.0%, the ferrite
transformation is excessively delayed to form a martensite phase, resulting in deterioration
of an elongation. In addition, similar to Mn, the segregation portion is significantly
developed in the thickness central portion, and a microstructure in the thickness
direction is non-uniform, resulting in deterioration of the workability and durability.
[0040] Therefore, the content of chromium (Cr) may be 0.005 to 1.0%. More preferably, the
content of chromium (Cr) may be 0.1% or more and may be 0.9% or less.
Aluminum (Al): 0.01 to 0.1%
[0041] Aluminum (Al) is an element mainly added for deoxidation. When a content of aluminum
(Al) is less than 0.01%, the addition effect is insufficient, and when the content
thereof exceeds 0.1%, Al is combined with N to form AlN, such that corner cracks are
likely to occur in the slab during continuous casting, and defects due to inclusion
formation are likely to occur.
[0042] Therefore, the content of aluminum (Al) may be 0.01 to 0.1%.
Phosphorus (P): 0.001 to 0.02%
[0043] Similar to Si, phosphorus (P) is an element having solid solution strengthening and
ferrite transformation promoting effects at the same time. When a content of phosphorus
(P) exceeds 0.02%, brittleness occurs due to grain boundary segregation, and microcracks
are likely to occur when formed, and the workability and durability are significantly
deteriorated. On the other hand, in order to manufacture the steel plate with a content
of phosphorus (P) of less than 0.001%, a lot of manufacturing cost is required, which
is economically unfavorable and is insufficient to obtain strength.
[0044] Therefore, the content of phosphorus (P) may be 0.001 to 0.02%.
Sulfur (S): 0.001 to 0.01%
[0045] Sulfur (S) is an impurity present in steel. When a content of sulfur (S) exceeds
0.01%, S is combined with Mn and the like to form a non-metallic inclusion. Accordingly,
microcracks are likely to occur during steel cutting processing, and the workability
and durability are deteriorated. On the other hand, in order to manufacture the steel
plate with a content of sulfur (S) of less than 0.001%, it takes a significant amount
of time to perform a steelmaking process, and thus, productivity is reduced.
[0046] Therefore, the content of sulfur (S) may be 0.001 to 0.01%.
Nitrogen (N): 0.001 to 0.01%
[0047] Nitrogen (N) is a typical solid solution strengthening element together with C, and
forms coarse precipitates together with Ti, Al, and the like. In general, although
the solid solution strengthening effect of nitrogen (N) is superior to that of C,
toughness is significantly decreased as the amount of nitrogen (N) in steel is increased.
Therefore, an upper limit thereof is set to 0.01%. On the other hand, in order to
manufacture the steel plate with a content of nitrogen (N) of less than 0.001%, it
takes a significant amount of time to perform a steelmaking process, and thus, productivity
is reduced.
[0048] Therefore, the content of nitrogen (N) may be 0.001 to 0.01%.
Titanium (Ti): 0.005 to 0.11%
[0049] Titanium (Ti) is a typical precipitation strengthening element, and forms coarse
TiN in steel with strong affinity with N. TiN has an effect of suppressing a growth
of grains during a heat process for hot rolling. In addition, titanium (Ti) remaining
after reacting with N is solid-dissolved in steel and combined with C to form TiC
precipitates, and thus, Ti is useful for improving the strength of steel. When a content
of titanium (Ti) is less than 0.005%, the above effect is not obtained, and when the
content thereof exceeds 0.11%, a local stress concentration occurs when formed due
to generation of coarse TiN and coarsening of the precipitates, such that cracks are
likely to occur.
[0050] Therefore, the content of titanium (Ti) may be 0.005 to 0.11%. More preferably, the
content of titanium (Ti) may be 0.01% or more and may be 0.1% or less.
Niobium (Nb): 0.005 to 0.07%
[0051] Niobium (Nb) is a typical precipitation strengthening element together with Ti, and
precipitates during hot rolling and thus is effective in improving the strength and
impact toughness of steel due to a grain refinement effect caused by recrystallization
delay. When a content of niobium (Nb) is less than 0.005%, the above effect is not
obtained, and when the content thereof exceeds 0.07%, the workability and durability
are deteriorated due to formation of elongated grains and formation of coarse composite
precipitates caused by excessive recrystallization delay during hot rolling.
[0052] Therefore, the content of niobium (Nb) may be 0.005 to 0.07%. More preferably, the
content of niobium (Nb) may be 0.01% or more.
[0053] The steel material of the present disclosure may contain a balance of iron (Fe) and
unavoidable impurities in addition to the composition described above. Since the unavoidable
impurities may be unintentionally incorporated in a general manufacturing process,
the unavoidable impurities may not be excluded. Since these impurities are known to
those skilled in a general steel manufacturing field, all the contents thereof are
not particularly described in the present specification.
[0054] In the steel of the present disclosure, an R value defined in the following Relational
Expression 1 may be 0.3 to 1.0.
[0055] When R in Relational Expression 1 is controlled, segregation of C, Mn, P, S, and
the like and formation of MnS, which occur during solidification of the steel and
cooling of the slab in the casting process, are minimized, such that uniformity of
the microstructure may be improved. It is commonly known that the segregation of alloying
elements such as C and Mn occurs in a cast structure formed during solidification,
and P is mainly segregated at grain boundaries when the steel plate is hot-rolled
and cooled and then maintained at a high temperature, which causes grain boundary
embrittlement. Such segregation is highly dependent on the content of alloying elements.
In particular, C and Mn form coarse carbides and a pearlite structure during cooling
after hot rolling, which causes deterioration of the quality of the shear surface.
In addition, Mn forms MnS, which is a non-metallic inclusion, together with Sn, and
MnS is elongated during rolling, which causes significant deterioration of the workability
of the final product. On the other hand, Si suppresses formation of coarse carbides
and has a large solid solution strengthening effect even with a small amount of alloy,
and Nb and Ti form fine precipitates and have an effect of refining a grain size,
which is effective in solving the segregation and grain boundary embrittlement problems.
[0056] In the present disclosure, as a result of measuring the hardness at the cross section
after manufacturing a thick steel material by hot rolling steel having various alloy
components, it is confirmed that the uniformity of the microstructure, the alloy components,
and the contents thereof are correlated, thereby deriving Relational Expression 1.
[0057] When the R value defined in the following Relational Expression 1 is less than 0.3,
it is difficult to secure the physical properties targeted in the present disclosure,
whereas when the value exceeds 1.0, the non-uniformity of the microstructure is increased,
and thus, the hardness value at the cross section fluctuates greatly. More preferably,
a lower limit of the R value may be 0.5 and an upper limit of the R value may be 0.8.

[0058] ([C], [Mn], [P], [S], [Si], [Nb], and [Ti] in Relational Expression 1 represent wt%
of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[0059] Hereinafter, a microstructure of the steel of the present disclosure will be described
in detail.
[0060] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, % indicating a fraction of
a microstructure is based on area.
[0061] In the steel satisfying the alloy composition according to an aspect of the present
disclosure, a surface portion (where t represents a thickness of the steel plate)
in a range of 0 to t/4 and a central portion (not including t/4) in a range of t/4
to t/2 based on a cross section each contain, by area%, 90% or more of ferrite and
bainite in total, less than 5% of pearlite and carbides having a diameter of 0.5 µm
or more, and less than 5% of a martensite and austenite (MA) phase, as a microstructure.
[0062] A microstructure of high-strength steel is determined during cooling. Bainite and
a martensite and austenite (MA) phase are easily formed in a surface portion where
a cooling rate is fast, whereas coarse carbides and pearlite are easily formed in
a central portion where the cooling rate is slow.
[0063] In general, the MA phase formed in the surface portion is a hard phase and exhibits
a higher hardness than that of the surrounding microstructure, such that a non-uniform
hardness distribution occurs, and microcracks occur due to a difference in hardness
between the MA phase and the matrix structure when formed. In addition, the coarse
carbides and pearlite formed in the central portion exhibit a higher hardness than
that of the surrounding microstructure and are simultaneously brittle, which causes
microcracks during shear formation.
[0064] Therefore, in the present disclosure, in order to simultaneously solve the problems
of the surface portion and the central portion, a fraction of the pearlite and carbides
having a diameter of 0.5 µm or more is limited to less than 5%, and a fraction of
the MA phase is limited to less than 5%. In this case, the fractions of the pearlite
and carbides having a diameter of 0.5 µm or more and the MA phase may be equally applied
to each of the surface portion and the central portion.
[0065] In the present disclosure, containing 90% or more of ferrite and bainite is to suppress
formation of unnecessary coarse carbides and pearlite so as to have a uniform hardness
distribution for each thickness position and to secure excellent yield strength and
elongation, and when less than 90% of ferrite and bainite are contained, it is difficult
to secure the product value (YSxT-El) of the yield strength and the elongation targeted
in the present disclosure. Therefore, in the present disclosure, 90% or more of ferrite
and bainite in total may be contained.
[0066] In terms of securing the physical properties targeted the present disclosure, more
preferably, in the central portion, the pearlite and carbides having a diameter of
0.5 µm or more may be 3% or less and the MA phase may be 3% or less, and in the surface
portion, the bainite may be 20% or less, the pearlite and carbides having a diameter
of 0.5 µm or more may be less than 2%, and the MA phase may be 3% or less.
[0067] In the present disclosure, the microstructure has the same characteristics in the
surface portion and the central portion of the steel, and the microstructure proposed
in the present disclosure is equally applied to the entire steel. In addition, in
the present disclosure, the surface portion means a region in a range of 0 to t/4
(t represents a thickness of the steel plate) based on the cross section, and the
central portion means a region in a range of t/4 to t/2 (not including t/4).
[0068] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the steel of the present disclosure will
be described in detail.
[0069] Steel according to an aspect of the present disclosure may be manufactured by subjecting
a steel slab satisfying the alloy composition described above to reheating, hot rolling,
first cooling, coiling, and second cooling.
Slab reheating
[0070] A steel slab satisfying the alloy composition described above may be reheated in
a temperature range of 1,200 to 1,350°C.
[0071] When the reheating temperature is lower than 1,200°C, precipitates are not sufficiently
solid-dissolved again, such that formation of precipitates in a subsequent process
is reduced, and coarse TiN remains. On the other hand, when the temperature exceeds
1,350°C, the strength of the steel is reduced due to an abnormal grain growth of austenite
grains.
Hot rolling
[0072] The reheated steel slab may be hot-rolled in a temperature range of 800 to 1,150°C
at a reduction ratio of 20 to 50%, and the rolling may be finished in a temperature
range of Tn-50 to Tn defined in the following Relational Expression 2.
[0073] When the hot rolling temperature exceeds 1,150°C, the temperature of the steel plate
is excessively increased, such that the grain size is coarsened and the surface quality
of the hot-rolled steel plate is deteriorated. On the other hand, when the temperature
is lower than 800°C, elongated grains are developed due to excessive recrystallization
delay, resulting in severe anisotropy and deterioration of the workability, and when
rolling is performed at a temperature below an austenite temperature range, a non-uniform
microstructure is developed more severely. Therefore, microcracks are likely to occur
in non-uniform portions when formed, which also causes deterioration of the ductility.
[0074] When a rolling end temperature exceeds Tn, the microstructure of the steel is coarsened
and non-uniform. When the temperature is lower than Tn-50, in a high-strength ultra-thick
steel plate having a thickness of 15 to 25 mm, a fraction of a fine ferrite phase
is increased due to the promotion of ferrite phase transformation in the surface portion
where the temperature is relatively low, but an elongated grain shape is formed, which
causes cracks to propagate quickly, and a non-uniform microstructure may remain in
the central portion, resulting in unfavorable durability.
[0075] The rolling end temperature determined by Relational Expression 2 of the present
disclosure means a temperature of the hot-rolled steel plate at the end of hot rolling.

[0076] (In Relational Expression 2, a unit of Tn is °C, and [C], [Mn], [Cr], [Nb], [Ti],
and [Si] represent wt% of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[0077] (t in Relational Expression 2 is a thickness (mm) of a final rolled plate)
[0078] A reduction amount in the hot-rolling temperature range may be 20 to 50%.
[0079] When the reduction amount is less than 20%, it is difficult to obtain the recrystallization
delay effect and thus non-uniform coarse grains are easily formed, and when the reduction
amount exceeds 50%, an excessively elongated microstructure is formed and carbides
are formed along the grain boundaries, such that cracks are likely to occur along
the grain boundaries when formed. In addition, fine precipitates are also reduced
and the precipitation strengthening effect is also reduced.
First cooling and coiling
[0080] The hot-rolled steel plate may be subjected to first cooling to a temperature range
of 450 to 550°C at a cooling rate equal to or higher than CR
Min defined in the following Relational Expression 3, and then the cooled hot-rolled
steel plate may be coiled.
[0081] A temperature range from immediately after the hot rolling to the cooling end temperature
corresponds to a temperature section in which the ferrite phase transformation occurs
during cooling. Since a cooling rate in the thickness central portion is slower than
that in the thickness surface portion of the rolled plate, a coarse ferrite phase
and coarse carbides are formed in the thickness central portion, and thus the steel
plate has a non-uniform microstructure. Therefore, in order to suppress this, in the
present disclosure, it is required to perform cooling faster than a specific cooling
rate (CR
Min). However, when an average cooling rate in the above temperature region exceeds 80°C/sec,
a difference in cooling rate between the surface portion and the central portion is
excessively increased, and a difference in hardness between the surface portion and
the central portion is excessively increased, such that the workability and durability
are deteriorated.
[0082] The cooling rate determined by Relational Expression 3 of the present disclosure
means a cooling rate of the hot-rolled steel plate after hot rolling.

[0083] (In Relational Expression 3, a unit of CR
Min is °C/s, and [C], [Si], [Mn], [Cr], [Ti], and [Nb] represent wt% of the corresponding
alloying elements, respectively)
[0084] When the cooling end temperature and the coiling temperature exceed 550°C, a pearlite
phase is formed as a band structure or a large amount of coarse carbides are formed,
which causes deterioration of the workability and durability, and when the temperatures
are lower than 450°C, a martensite phase and an MA phase are excessively formed, which
causes deterioration of the workability and durability.
Second cooling
[0085] The coiled steel plate may be subjected to second cooling to a temperature range
of room temperature to 200°C, and the second cooling may be air cooling or water cooling.
[0086] In the present disclosure, air cooling means cooling performed in the air at room
temperature and a cooling rate of 0.001 to 10°C/hour. Even in a case where the cooling
rate exceeds 10°C/hour, when it complies with the coiling temperature and the first
cooling conditions, transformation of some of the untransformed phases in the steel
into an MA phase may be suppressed. Therefore, water cooling may be performed. In
the present disclosure, water cooling means cooling performed by charging a coil into
a water bath at room temperature. However, in order to control the cooling rate to
less than 0.001°C/hour, a separate heating and heat preservation facility and the
like are required, which is economically unfavorable. Therefore, a lower limit of
the cooling rate may be 0.001°C/hour.
[0087] The steel plate of the present disclosure manufactured as described above is a steel
plate having a thickness of 10 mm or more, more preferably, may have a thickness of
15 mm or more, and may be a steel plate having an upper limit of a thickness of 25
mm. A difference between an average hardness value and a maximum hardness value of
hardness values measured at intervals of 0.5 mm from a point located at 0.5 mm directly
below a surface of a specimen to a point located at 0.5 mm directly below a back surface
based on an arbitrary line perpendicular to a thickness cross section of the steel
plate may be 20 Hv or less, and more preferably, the average hardness value may be
160 to 300 Hv. In addition, since the product (YSxT-E) value of the yield strength
and the elongation is 16,000 MPa·% or more, high strength and excellent workability
may be provided.
[0088] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference
to Examples. However, the following Examples are provided to illustrate and describe
the present disclosure in detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[Mode for Invention]
[0089] The steel composition and the thickness of the final hot-rolled plate of each steel
type are shown in Table 1. Table 2 shows the values of the rolling end temperature
(FDT), the total reduction amount (%), the coiling temperature (CT), the cooling rate
(CR*) up to the coiling temperature, which is the cooling end temperature after hot
rolling, Tn and Tn-50 defined in Relational Expression 2, and the minimum cooling
rate (CR
Min) defined in Relational Expression 3 of the steel types shown in Table 1. The reheating
temperature, the hot rolling temperature, and the cooling rate of the steel plate
after coiling not shown in Table 2 were equally applied as 1,250°C, 800 to 1,150°C,
and 1°C/hour, respectively.
[Table 1]
Ste el typ e |
Alloy component (wt%) |
Relational Expression 1 |
Thickn ess (t) (mm) |
C |
Si |
Mn |
Cr |
Al |
P |
S |
N |
Ti |
Nb |
[C]* |
R |
A |
0.14 |
0.2 |
1.7 |
0.2 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.07 |
0.03 |
0.119 |
1.19 |
18 |
B |
0.07 |
0.5 |
0.9 |
0.8 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.05 |
0.035 |
0.053 |
0.29 |
19 |
C |
0.07 |
0.5 |
2.2 |
0.01 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.004 |
0.07 |
0.03 |
0.049 |
1.25 |
20 |
D |
0.08 |
0.4 |
1.7 |
0.5 |
0.03 |
0.025 |
0.004 |
0.004 |
0.05 |
0.03 |
0.064 |
1.09 |
20 |
E |
0.08 |
1.2 |
2 |
0.3 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.06 |
0.05 |
0.059 |
0.41 |
17 |
F |
0.06 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
0.1 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.07 |
0.01 |
0.041 |
0.27 |
19 |
G |
0.07 |
0.5 |
1.8 |
0.2 |
0.03 |
0.008 |
0.004 |
0.004 |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.055 |
0.93 |
18 |
H |
0.07 |
0.1 |
1.4 |
0.3 |
0.03 |
0.005 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.05 |
0.03 |
0.054 |
0.96 |
19 |
I |
0.06 |
0.3 |
1.6 |
0.2 |
0.03 |
0.008 |
0.004 |
0.004 |
0.005 |
0.05 |
0.052 |
0.93 |
21 |
J |
0.07 |
0.4 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.005 |
0.004 |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.055 |
0.84 |
18 |
K |
0.07 |
0.5 |
1.4 |
0.008 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.08 |
0.045 |
0.044 |
0.61 |
19 |
L |
0.07 |
0.7 |
1.8 |
0.012 |
0.03 |
0.007 |
0.004 |
0.004 |
0.1 |
0.02 |
0.042 |
0.73 |
20 |
M |
0.07 |
0.5 |
1.6 |
0.008 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.08 |
0.03 |
0.046 |
0.78 |
19 |
N |
0.06 |
0.2 |
1.5 |
0.05 |
0.03 |
0.005 |
0.003 |
0.005 |
0.095 |
0.03 |
0.032 |
0.92 |
18 |
O |
0.06 |
0.6 |
1.2 |
0.9 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.005 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.045 |
0.39 |
19 |
P |
0.08 |
0.8 |
1.8 |
0.5 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.005 |
0.06 |
0.03 |
0.061 |
0.66 |
21 |
Q |
0.07 |
0.7 |
1.7 |
0.2 |
0.03 |
0.008 |
0.003 |
0.005 |
0.1 |
0.04 |
0.040 |
0.63 |
20 |
R |
0.07 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
0.1 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.002 |
0.004 |
0.09 |
0.04 |
0.042 |
0.68 |
19 |
S |
0.09 |
0.8 |
1.85 |
0.8 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.08 |
0.04 |
0.065 |
0.69 |
18 |
T |
0.11 |
0.9 |
1.95 |
0.7 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.003 |
0.004 |
0.06 |
0.045 |
0.089 |
0.68 |
18 |

[0090] ([C], [Mn], [P], [S], [Si], [Nb], and [Ti] in Relational Expression 1 represent wt%
of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[Table 2]
Steel type |
Hot rolling |
First cooling |
Relational Expression 2 |
Relational Expression 3 |
FDT (°C) |
Reduction amount (%) |
CT (°C) |
CR* (°C/sec) |
Tn |
Tn-50 |
CRMin |
A |
855 |
38 |
482 |
46 |
889 |
839 |
38 |
B |
795 |
38 |
483 |
65 |
823 |
773 |
37 |
C |
846 |
37 |
478 |
52 |
882 |
832 |
39 |
D |
835 |
36 |
502 |
52 |
870 |
820 |
33 |
E |
800 |
43 |
475 |
55 |
839 |
789 |
23 |
F |
770 |
38 |
490 |
50 |
781 |
731 |
40 |
G |
845 |
18 |
520 |
53 |
851 |
801 |
34 |
H |
810 |
58 |
490 |
62 |
865 |
815 |
52 |
I |
812 |
37 |
618 |
65 |
849 |
799 |
54 |
J |
819 |
42 |
430 |
45 |
856 |
806 |
30 |
K |
805 |
38 |
515 |
38 |
841 |
791 |
58 |
L |
820 |
17 |
430 |
45 |
844 |
794 |
37 |
M |
825 |
16 |
580 |
32 |
846 |
796 |
49 |
N |
840 |
41 |
475 |
70 |
871 |
821 |
59 |
O |
805 |
39 |
487 |
65 |
839 |
789 |
31 |
P |
817 |
42 |
495 |
62 |
848 |
798 |
22 |
Q |
825 |
38 |
504 |
56 |
859 |
809 |
43 |
R |
820 |
43 |
478 |
68 |
853 |
803 |
53 |
S |
840 |
40 |
492 |
50 |
885 |
835 |
17 |
T |
835 |
39 |
506 |
53 |
876 |
826 |
14 |

[0091] (In Relational Expression 2, a unit of Tn is °C, and [C], [Mn], [Cr], [Nb], [Ti],
and [Si] represent wt% of the corresponding alloying elements, respectively)
[0092] (t in Relational Expression 2 is a thickness (mm) of a final rolled plate)

[0093] (In Relational Expression 3, a unit of CR
Min is °C/s, and [C], [Si], [Mn], [Cr], [Ti], and [Nb] represent wt% of the corresponding
alloying elements, respectively)
[0094] The microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of the steel types are
shown in Tables 3 and 4.
[0095] The microstructure shown in Table 3 is a result of analysis at a point located at
0.5 mm directly below a surface and a central portion of the hot-rolled plate. In
the present disclosure, the surface portion means a range of 0 to t/4 based on the
thickness (t), and the central portion means a range of t/4 to t/2 (not including
t/4) . In Table 3, the microstructure in the surface portion is a result of analysis
at a point located at 0.5 mm directly below the surface, and the microstructure in
the central portion is a result of analysis at t/2, which is a thickness central portion.
The area fraction of the MA phase was measured after etching by Lepera etching method
using an optical microscope and an image analyzer and was analyzed at 1,000 magnification.
The area fractions of the martensite and austenite phase (MA), ferrite phase (F),
bainite phase (B), and pearlite phase (P) were analyzed using a scanning electron
microscope (SEM) at 3,000 to 5,000 magnification. Here, ferrite (F) is polygonal ferrite
having an equiaxed crystal shape, and bainite (B) means a ferrite phase observed in
a low-temperature region such as bainite, acicular ferrite, or bainitic ferrite. In
addition, an area fraction of pearlite (P) means the sum of area fractions of pearlite
and carbides having a size of 0.5 µm or more.
[0096] YS, TS, and T-El in Table 4 mean 0.2% off-set yield strength, tensile strength, elongation
at break, respectively, which are test results obtained by taking a JIS No. 5 standard
test piece parallel to a rolling direction. In addition, the hardness at a cross section
of the specimen is measured and shown together. The hardness was measured at intervals
of 0.5 mm from a point located at 0.5 mm directly below a surface of the specimen
to a point located at 0.5 mm directly below a back surface based on an arbitrary line
perpendicular to a thickness cross section of the specimen with a Micro-vickers tester,
and a load of 500 g was applied. Table 4 shows a maximum hardness value and an average
hardness value at the thickness cross section among the measured hardness values,
and a difference between two hardness values is shown. Peak (number) means the number
of portions where the difference between the hardness value and the average hardness
value at the thickness point exceeds 20 Hv.
[Table 3]
St ee l ty pe |
Microstructure |
Classif ication |
Surface portion |
Central portion |
Ferrite Phase fraction (%) |
Bainite Phase fraction (%) |
Pearlit e Phase fractio n (%) |
MA Phase fraction (%) |
Ferrite Phase fraction (%) |
Bainite Phase fraction (%) |
Pearlit e Phase fractio n (%) |
MA Phase fraction (%) |
A |
88 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
85 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 1 |
B |
88 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
95 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 2 |
C |
86 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
82 |
3 |
9 |
6 |
Compara tive Steel 3 |
D |
89 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
94 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 4 |
E |
91 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
92 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
Compara tive Steel 5 |
F |
95 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
97 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 6 |
G |
93 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
96 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 7 |
H |
91 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
90 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 8 |
I |
92 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
89 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 9 |
J |
71 |
22 |
0 |
7 |
87 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
Compara tive Steel 10 |
K |
93 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
89 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
Compara tive Steel 11 |
L |
80 |
13 |
0 |
7 |
85 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 12 |
M |
93 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
91 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Compara tive Steel 13 |
N |
86 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
93 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Inventi ve Steel 1 |
O |
89 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
92 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
Inventi ve Steel 2 |
P |
83 |
15 |
0 |
2 |
91 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
Inventi ve Steel 3 |
Q |
90 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
94 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Inventi ve Steel 4 |
R |
91 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
91 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
Inventi ve Steel 5 |
S |
85 |
12 |
0 |
3 |
89 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 6 |
T |
80 |
17 |
0 |
3 |
88 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
Inventi ve Steel 7 |
[Table 4]
Ste el typ e |
Mechanical properties |
Hardness value |
Classific ation |
YS (MPa) |
TS (MPa) |
T-El (%) |
YS x T-El (MPa·%) |
HMax (Hv) |
HAve (Hv) |
ΔH |
Peak (number) |
A |
405 |
585 |
32 |
12960 |
227 |
181 |
46 |
3 |
Comparati ve Steel 1 |
B |
374 |
481 |
41 |
15334 |
168 |
152 |
16 |
0 |
Comparati ve Steel 2 |
C |
525 |
656 |
30 |
15750 |
247 |
210 |
37 |
6 |
Comparati ve Steel 3 |
D |
467 |
582 |
35 |
16345 |
214 |
189 |
25 |
1 |
Comparati ve Steel 4 |
E |
477 |
618 |
32 |
15264 |
215 |
201 |
14 |
0 |
Comparati ve Steel 5 |
F |
346 |
453 |
45 |
15570 |
149 |
140 |
9 |
0 |
Comparati ve Steel 6 |
G |
395 |
510 |
40 |
15800 |
168 |
155 |
13 |
0 |
Comparati ve Steel 7 |
H |
449 |
541 |
34 |
15266 |
187 |
163 |
24 |
2 |
Comparati ve Steel 8 |
I |
415 |
528 |
39 |
16185 |
222 |
171 |
51 |
3 |
Comparati ve Steel 9 |
J |
452 |
580 |
33 |
14916 |
208 |
186 |
22 |
2 |
Comparati ve Steel 10 |
K |
448 |
602 |
35 |
15680 |
244 |
197 |
47 |
2 |
Comparati ve Steel 11 |
L |
460 |
595 |
34 |
15640 |
219 |
194 |
25 |
2 |
Comparati ve Steel 12 |
M |
401 |
527 |
38 |
15238 |
187 |
169 |
18 |
0 |
Comparati ve Steel 13 |
N |
447 |
568 |
39 |
17433 |
195 |
181 |
14 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 1 |
O |
485 |
604 |
38 |
18430 |
211 |
194 |
17 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 2 |
P |
506 |
640 |
36 |
18216 |
223 |
208 |
15 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 3 |
Q |
495 |
622 |
39 |
19305 |
207 |
190 |
17 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 4 |
R |
462 |
574 |
41 |
18942 |
192 |
177 |
15 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 5 |
S |
549 |
681 |
35 |
19215 |
229 |
217 |
12 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 6 |
T |
563 |
705 |
33 |
18579 |
243 |
225 |
18 |
0 |
Inventive Steel 7 |
[0097] As shown in Table 4, in Inventive Steels 1 to 7 satisfying the alloy composition,
manufacturing method, and Relational Expressions 1 to 3 proposed in the present disclosure,
all the mechanical properties targeted in the present disclosure were secured.
[0098] FIG. 1 illustrates products of the yield strength and the elongation and differences
between the average hardness value and the maximum hardness value at the thickness
cross sections of Inventive Steels and Comparative Steels. It could be confirmed that
in Inventive Steels, the difference in hardness value was 20 Hv or less, and the value
of YS x T-El was 16,000 MPa·% or more.
[0099] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the hardness value distributions at the thickness cross
sections of Inventive Steels and Comparative Steels, respectively. In the cases of
Comparative Steels, it could be confirmed that the hardness value of the thickness
central portion was relatively low compared to that of the surface portion, and the
difference according to the thickness position was also large.
[0100] In the cases of Comparative Steels 1 to 4, Relational Expression 1 proposed in the
present disclosure was not satisfied, and in the case of Comparative Steel 1, the
content of C satisfied the range of the present disclosure, but was out of the proposed
range of Relational Expression 1 considering segregation. Therefore, excessive pearlite
was formed over the central portion and the surface portion of the microstructure,
and when the hardness was measured in the thickness direction, a locally high hardness
difference was shown. The ductility was also insufficient, and thus, the result out
of the range proposed in the present disclosure was shown. In the cases of Comparative
Steels 2 and 3, the component range of Mn was out of the range proposed in the present
disclosure, and in addition, Relational Expression 1 was not satisfied. In the case
of Comparative Steel 2, since the content of Mn was small, segregation in the thickness
direction of the rolled steel plate or coarse carbides and non-uniform pearlite were
not formed, but the yield strength and the tensile strength were insufficient, and
thus, the properties targeted in the present disclosure were not obtained. In the
case of Comparative Steel 3, since the content of Mn was excessive, bainite was formed
in the surface portion due to high hardenability, whereas pearlite was excessively
formed in the central portion, and elongated MnS inclusions were also observed. In
particular, when the hardness was measured in the thickness direction, a locally high
hardness difference was exhibited, and the ductility was also insufficient. Comparative
Steel 4 was a case in which the content of P was out of the range proposed in the
present disclosure, and Relational Expression 1 was not satisfied at the same time.
In the microstructure of Comparative Steel 4, the range proposed in the present disclosure
was satisfied, and the strength and the elongation were also excellent, but when the
hardness was measured, a local hardness difference was exhibited, which may cause
a high possibility of brittleness when used after manufacturing parts.
[0101] In the case of Comparative Steel 5 in which Relational Expression 1 was satisfied,
but the content of Si of the present disclosure was not satisfied, it was confirmed
that coarse ferrite was formed in the surface portion in the microstructure, and an
MA phase was formed in the surface portion and the central portion. In addition, a
slightly low hardness value was exhibited in the surface portion, and the product
of the yield strength and the elongation was out of the targeted range of the present
disclosure. This was because the phase transformation temperature was increased due
to the excessive addition of Si, and ferrite was formed in the surface portion during
hot rolling and subjected to two-phase rolling, and some untransformed ferrite was
formed as an MA phase.
[0102] Comparative Steel 6 satisfied the alloy component range of the present disclosure,
but did not satisfy Relational Expression 1. In this case, segregation of the components
was not observed, an MA phase and coarse carbides were hardly formed in the microstructure,
and only fine pearlite was observed around grain boundaries. Therefore, the hardness
distribution in the thickness direction was also relatively uniform. However, the
hardness value targeted in the present disclosure was not secured.
[0103] Comparative Steels 7 and 8 did not satisfy Relational Expression 2 and the reduction
ratio. In the case of Comparative Steel 7, the rolling was terminated in a temperature
range satisfying Relational Expression 2, but a non-uniform microstructure was formed
during cooling due to an insufficient reduction ratio. Therefore, the compositional
fraction of the microstructure satisfied the present disclosure, but coarse grains
were mixed in the ferrite matrix structure, resulting in a low yield strength. The
durability of the steel having such a microstructure may be deteriorated during use
of parts. In the case of Comparative Steel 8 in which both Relational Expression 2
and reduction ratio conditions were not satisfied, it could be confirmed that an excessively
elongated microstructure was formed in the surface portion due to delay of recrystallization
during rolling caused by a large reduction amount, whereas equiaxed ferrite and pearlite
were mainly formed in the central portion to form a non-uniform microstructure depending
on the thickness portion, which caused the deterioration of the durability of the
parts and the deterioration of the elongation.
[0104] In Comparative Steels 9 and 10, the coiling temperature conditions were not satisfied.
In Comparative Steel 9, the cooling end temperature and the coiling temperature were
higher than those of the temperature ranges proposed in the present disclosure, it
was confirmed that pearlite was locally formed, and in particular, the pearlite band
structure was observed in the central portion. Therefore, when the hardness in the
thickness direction was measured, a locally high hardness difference was shown. In
Comparative Steel 10, the cooling end temperature and the coiling temperature were
lower than those of the ranges proposed in the present disclosure. In Comparative
Steel 10, bainite was excessively formed in the microstructure in the surface portion,
and the elongation was insufficient.
[0105] In Comparative Steel 11 in which the cooling rate conditions of the cooling rate
relational expression 3 were not satisfied and the cooling rate during cooling after
hot rolling was lower than the range of the present disclosure, pearlite and coarse
carbides were formed in the thickness central portion, and thus a locally high hardness
difference was shown.
[0106] In Comparative Steels 12 and 13, the reduction amount and cooling end temperature
conditions were not satisfied. In Comparative Steel 12, the reduction amount was insufficient
in a temperature range in which recrystallization was delayed during hot rolling,
and the coiling temperature was low, such that the size of the ferrite grains was
non-uniform and bainite in the microstructure in the surface portion was excessively
formed. In addition, pearlite was also locally observed in the central portion, resulting
in a low elongation. In Comparative Steel 13, the reduction amount was insufficient
in the temperature region in which crystallization was delayed, the coiling temperature
was high, and the cooling rate did not satisfy Relational Expression 3. Therefore,
it was confirmed that the microstructure was non-uniform, pearlite was formed as a
band structure, and the yield strength was low.
[0107] Hereinabove, the present disclosure has been described in detail by the exemplary
embodiments, but other exemplary embodiments having different forms are possible.
Therefore, the technical spirit and scope of the claims set forth below are not limited
by the exemplary embodiments.