Influence of deep rolling on the surface integrity of AISI 1020 steel

ABSTRACT Surface integrity refers to a set of characteristics of the surface and subsurface layer that have great influence on the functional performance of mechanical components under conditions of wear, corrosion and fatigue, and is determined by the manufacturing processes employed. Thus, surface treatments are used to generate a surface integrity suited to the desired function. Deep rolling is one of the surface treatments that involve cold working of the surface and subsurface layer. This work addresses the influence of some deep rolling parameters (pressure, speed, feed and number of passes) on the surface integrity (roughness, surface and subsurface microhardness and microstructure) of AISI 1020 low carbon steel. A significant improvement on surface finish was observed after deep rolling, however, the excessive increase in pressure and in feed caused an increase in roughness. Regarding the surface microhardness, it was reduced or remained stable after deep rolling. In addition, under all conditions tested deep rolling promoted an increase in the microhardness of the subsurface layer and in the affected depth in comparison to the specimen only turned. However, an elevation in pressure further increased the subsurface microhardness and the affected depth and the subsurface microhardness increased slightly with higher feeds and reduced with increasing number of passes, along with the affected depth. Finally, the microstructural analysis showed that deformation increased with pressure and number of passes and reduced with the elevation of speed and feed.