Effects of Hot‐Rolling Temperature on the Deformation Behavior and Interfacial Evolution of MnO–SiO ₂ –Al ₂ O ₃ Inclusions With Different Crystallization States: A Computational and Experimental Study

This study investigates the hot‐rolling deformation behavior of MnO–SiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 inclusions in wire rod steel which exist in different crystallization states. Finite element simulations were conducted on surface‐crystallized and bulk‐crystallized inclusions within the temperature range of 850–1050 °C. Results show that surface‐crystallized inclusions, constrained by their hard shells, exhibit brittle behavior with minimal deformation at all temperatures. In contrast, bulk‐crystallized inclusions exhibit significant temperature dependence: they remain undeformable below 950 °C, while above this threshold, noticeable softening and elongation occur due to glass phase flow. Effective interfacial bonding is achievable only when inclusions deform in concert with the matrix. Simulations and hot compression experiments show consistent trends within the 900–950 °C range, confirming that glass phase softening dominates the deformation process. Deviations occur below 900 °C due to limitations of the viscosity model and above 1000 °C due to unmodeled crystalline phase growth. However, validation confirms that maintaining the hot‐rolling temperature above 950 °C promotes plastic deformation of inclusions, minimizes interfacial voids, and effectively reduces wire breakage rates in tire cord steel.