Microstructure and properties of 60Si2Mn steel wire rod for high-speed railway bullets produced by two different shapes

Abstract The microstructure and mechanical properties of 60Si2Mn steel wire rods produced from different sizes of continuous casting billets were analyzed using metallographic examination, electron backscatter diffraction analysis, hardness testing. The results show that the chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties after heat treatment of the wire rods produced using two different blank shapes were relatively similar, but there was a significant difference in grain size. The wire rods produced using large blank shapes had larger austenite grain size and pearlite cluster size. When it was necessary to assure the internal quality and grain refinement of the wire rod, large billets could be used for production. By increasing the deformation during the rough rolling stage and optimizing the continuous casting process parameters, the grain could be refined to improve the quality of the wire rod.