Description

Because of the relatively high mobility of nitrogen atoms in ferrite compared to carbon atoms, control of nitrogen strain aging becomes a first priority for maintaining drawn wire ductility in both low- and high-carbon applications. This paper reviews past investigations into determining critical free nitrogen levels using a strain-aging index parameter, and discusses various approaches to reducing or eliminating nitrogen strain aging effects. The potential advantages of possible micro alloying approaches to reducing strain aging, such as vanadium and boron additions, are reviewed.