Effect of Deformation on the Microstructure and Hardness of X5CrNi18-10 Wire
BAŁAGA Zbigniew, OPYDO Michał, BEZGIN Sezin, DUDEK Agata
Abstract. This study presents the characterization of cold-drawn spring wire made of X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304) steel. The investigations comprised phase analysis by X-ray diffraction, microstructural observations in longitudinal and transverse sections, and Vickers hardness measurements (HV2). XRD confirmed austenite as the main phase. The measured hardness, HV2 = 549 ± 8, is high compared with values typical of the annealed condition and results from strain hardening induced by cold drawing. The microstructure shows a banded grain structure characteristic of intense plastic deformation, as well as sulfide inclusions (MnS). Revealing the microstructure required oxidizing/tint etchants suitable for chromium–nickel steels in the heavily deformed state. The results are consistent with the requirements of EN 10270-3 and can serve as a reference for testing and quality control of austenitic wires used for spring elements.
Keywords
X5CrNi18-10, Spring Wire, Cold Deformation, Strain Hardening, Austenite
Published online 1/25/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: BAŁAGA Zbigniew, OPYDO Michał, BEZGIN Sezin, DUDEK Agata, Effect of Deformation on the Microstructure and Hardness of X5CrNi18-10 Wire, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 62, pp 80-85, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904015-11
The article was published as article 11 of the book Terotechnology XIV
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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