Influence of cold rolling and annealing on mechanical properties of steel QStE 420

Purpose: was to investigate impact of cold reduction size and annealing on mechanical properties of HSLA steel. Design/methodology/approach: Testing of strip steel QStE 420 was based on a combination of cold rolling, recrystallization annealing, mechanical testing and metallographic analyses. Findings: It was confirmed that by a suitable combination of size of previous cold deformation and parameters of the following annealing it is possible to influence considerably a complex of mechanical properties of particular strips. Strength properties were more or less decreasing with the rising annealing temperature, whereas plastic properties were increasing. Research limitations/implications: The experiment should be supplemented by additional modes of soft- and recrystallization annealing. Practical implications: The results may be utilized for optimization of terms of heat treatment in a cold rolling mill, exactly in accordance with specific requirements for a relation between plastic and strength properties of the investigated material. Originality/value: Research possibilities of VSB-TUO in the sphere of cold rolling were introduced for the first time.