The mechanical properties and microstructure of hot-rolled steel are critical in determining its performance in industrial applications, particularly when exposed to elevated temperatures. This study examines the effects of varying temperatures and soaking times on these properties through a series of controlled experiments. The primary objective was to optimize the key response parameters, including tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, by analyzing the influence of temperature and time. A full factorial design approach was used, applying the desirability function theory to explore all possible combinations and identify optimal processing conditions. The experimental results showed that the soaking time played a critical role, significantly influencing the mechanical properties with an impact ratio of 62%. The microstructural analysis displayed that higher temperatures and longer soaking times resulted in the formation of coarser ferrite and pearlite grains, contributing to a decrease in strength and an increase in ductility. The optimum process condition - 650 °C for 60 min - produced the highest values for tensile strength (400.32 MPa), elongation (36.78%) and yield strength (288.52 MPa). The study also highlighted the temperature-dependent nature of the mechanical behavior of hot-rolled steel. While tensile strength and yield strength initially increase with temperature, prolonged exposure, particularly at 600 °C and 750 °C, results in significant grain coarsening and a corresponding degradation of these properties. Conversely, elongation improves at moderate temperatures (150 °C to 300 °C) but decreases with prolonged exposure, especially at higher temperatures. These findings underscore the importance of precise control of thermal processing parameters to optimize the mechanical properties of hot-rolled steel. The findings offer significant insights that can be leveraged to optimize material performance in industrial applications, where thermal exposure is a critical consideration.
