Microscopy showed that cross-rolled and still air-cooled products present microstructures with as-transformed ferrite and pearlite grains. Internal defects were not detected and did not influence the final properties of the forged parts. Microstructures of forgings showed very refined grains and it was observed that the content of acicular ferrite was inversely related to the plastic strain. (c) 2005 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.542213217