Influence of Cerium on Solidification Microstructure of M2 High Speed Steel

The influence of Ce on the solidification microstructures of M2 high speed steel was studied. The results show that Ce has the effect of alleviating the segregation of alloying elements such as W and Mo in high speed steel. With the addition of Ce, the amount of eutectic carbides is decreased and the flakes of the carbides are refined. Ce mainly segregates onto the interface between the eutectic carbide and austenite, and a Dart of Ce enters M2C carbide. Ce can also enhance the breaking and spheroidizing of the network eutectic carbides during high temperature heat treatment.

A study on centrifugal casting of high speed steel roll

High speed steel (HSS) rolls can replace traditional rolls such as alloyed cast iron rolls and powder metallurgical (PM) hard alloy rolls. The main reasons for the replacement are that the wear resistance of low-cost alloyed cast iron rolls is poor and the cost of high-quality PM hard alloy rolls is very high. By means of centrifugal casting, HSS rolls having excellent wear resistance have been manufactured. The hardness of the HSS roll is 6.5~67 HRC, the range of variation is smaller than 2 HRC and its impact toughness is 15 J/cm2. The wear rate of HSS rolls used in the pre-finishing stands of high-speed hot wire-rod rolling mill reaches 2.5×10-4mm per ton steel. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of HSS rolls is significantly lower than that of PM hard alloy rolls; it is only 30 percent of that of PM hard alloy rolls.

STUDY ON CRYOGENIC PHASE CHANGE & WEAR CHARACTERISTIC OF HIGH SPEED STEEL

The microscopic structure change rule in high speed steel (HSS) after an additional cryogenic treatment was studied in this paper. Highly dispersed nano-carbide (η-Fe2 C) separated from tempering martensite was found distributed on twin planes of marten-site and dislocation places. Retained austenite was found sheared into martensite and nano-carbide separated at the same time. In addition, the tempering martensite was fine-grained. The stated changes of HSS evidently improve the lifespan of HSS cutter and fully show the advantages of nano-structure. The cryogenic treatment of HSS also improves the roughness of HSS cutter (decrease Ra number by about 50%) and greatly increases the wear resistance of HSS cutter. Further experiments on the wear characteristic of HSS cutter supported the findings mentioned above. The stated HSS treatment technology would implement nano-structure of traditional tool steel through phase change. It could be a new method to improve the performance of HSS cutter.

MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SPRAY FORMED HIGH SPEED STEEL FOR WORK ROLL

The mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of a high speed steel (HSS) for roll has been studied. As compared with the as-cast HSS, the spray-formed HSS have fine grain and segregation free microstructures. Carbides distribute uniformly. The morphology and types of the carbides in spray-formed HSS are different from those in as-cast HSS. The results of the high temperature tensile experiment show that, as to spray-formed HSS, there is a possibility of superplastic deformation in the range of 780-810℃.

Effect of RE-Al-N on Structures and Properties of M2 Cast High Speed Steel

M2 cast high speed steel was inoculated by addition of rare earth(RE)-Al-N, network eutectic carbides were eliminated, matrix microstructures were refined and the segregation of tungsten and molybdenum elements was relieved. In the condition that the hardness does not decrease, impact toughness obviously increases. Quenching at 1180 ℃ and three-times tempering at 560 ℃, the hardness of M2 cast high speed steel is 65～66 HRC, and impact toughness reaches 21.3 (J·cm^(-2)). Modified M2 cast high speed steel has excellent thermal fatigue resistance and high temperature wear resistance. Roller made in modified M2 cast high speed steel has excellent service effect when it is used in slit rolling mill of hot rolling bar mill.

Study on stable and meta-stable carbides in a high speed steel for rollers during tempering processes

A high speed steel （HSS） was studied for rollers in this work. The steel was quenched at 1150℃ and tempered at 520℃. The phase structures of the steel were determined by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and the hardness of specimens was measured. The volume fraction of carbides was counted by Image-Pro Plus software. The typical microstructures were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM）. Stable and meta-stable carbides were deduced by removing the existing phases one by one in the Fe-C equilibrium calculation. It is found that the precipitated carbides are bulk-like MC, long stripe-like M2C, fishbone-like M6C, and daisy-like M7C3 during the tempering process. The stable carbides are MC and M6C, but the meta-stable ones are M2C, M7C3, and M3C.

MICROSTRUCTURE IN LASER FUSED HIGH SPEED STEEL W6Mo5Cr4V2(M2)

Microstructure of the deepest zone of high speed steel W6Mo5Cr4V2(M2)melt after laser fu-sion was found to be so fine as the ehill zone of a solidified ingot.When narrower chill zoneformed,the long columnar dendrites grow into the melt and then the fine equiaxed cellularstructure appears in upper melt region nearly surface.The substructure of cellular grains anddendrites was observed to consist of martensite and retained austenile,while the carbides asM_6C_■ Cr_7C_3 and MC distributed at their boundaries.It is believed that the highermicrohardness up to HV_(0.1)=865-960 of the laser fused structure of the alloy is due to the oc-currence of martensite.

Fatigue Behavior of High Speed Steel Roll Materials for Hot Rolling by Laser Impacting

The fatigue behavior of high speed steel （HSS） roll materials for hot rolling was researched under watercooling conditions by laser impacting. The microstructure of HSS sample and the morphologies of fatigue samples were observed by scanning electron microscope. The phase structure was detected by XRD. The morphology of situ oxide scale was observed by optical microscope, and the expansion coefficient was measured by TGA. The experiment results indicate that the cracks come into being at the carbide-matrix interface, but there are no cracks in the matrix after many times of laser impacting treatment, for the situ sample taken from the fractured roll surface, big carbides are more sensitive to the fatigue, and peel off prior to small ones. The relevant fatigue mechanisms are also discussed.

Study on Factors Affecting the Structure of High Speed Steel Ingot Produced by ESR

The influence of the metal pool depth and the local solidification time on the structure of high speed steel ingot produced by electroslag remelting (ESR) process has been studied by measuring the dendritic arm spacing and the size of the carbides. It is shown that the metal pool depth is a factor that influences the uniformity of the ESR ingot structure and not only the dendritic arm spacing, but also the size of the carbides can be influenced by the local solidification time in the solidification process of the ingot. The relationship between the melting rate during ESR process and the local solidification time has been studied. It is shown that there is an optimum melting rate at which the local solidification time is minimum as a result of the combination of the influence of the melt rate on the width of the local mushy zone and on the local solidification rate. The influence of the inoculants on the solidification structure of high speed steel produced by ESR has been studied and it is shown that the size of the grain can be significantly reduced by inoculation process.

Alloying Elements in High Speed Steels

Effects of alloying elements,Si,Nb,Ti,W,Mo,V,Al and rare earth metals on the microstructure and properties of high speed steels(HSSs) have been reviewed.More attention is paid to effects of Si on the secondary hardening and V on the morphology of eutectic carbides in HSSs.A lot of work has been carried out on the behavior of alloying elements in HSSs in the past decade,and some new types of HSSs containing silicon,aluminum or rare earth metals have been successfully developed in the world.

Semi-solid Casting of High Speed Steel Ingots Using Inclined Slope Pre-crystallization Method

Semi-solid casting of M2 high speed steel ingots was investigated by inclined slope pre-crystallization method. Effects of casting temperature and slope length on the microstructure of M2 HSS ingots were investigated. M2 cast ingots of non-dendritic primary austenite and fine eutectic ledeburite network carbide structure were obtained, with the casting temperature, slope length and angle of 1480 ℃, 500 mm and 60° respectively. Meanwhile, the microstructure of cast samples was quantitatively assessed by Image tool software. Results show that optimum mean equivalent diameter of primary austenite crystal grain is 50.8 μm, shape factor is 0.83, and mean thickness of network carbide is 5.21 μm.

Scratch behavior of high speed steels for hot rolls

The scratch behaviors of two high speed steels （HSS） for hot rolls were studied by a Micro-combi Tester, and the emphasis was placed on researching the relations between the microstructure and the scratch resistance property of different HSS. The experimental results indicate that during the scratch process, the carbides are embedded into the matrix, the penetration depth of different HSS is closely related with the matrix hardness, i.e., the higher the matrix hardness, the better the scratch resistance property; and in the matrix, the fine, dispersive carbides are beneficial to form steady friction between the indenter and the scratched materials, but the coarser carbides are easier to fall into pieces.

High temperature oxidation behavior of high speed steel for hot rolls material

The oxidation characteristics of high speed steel (HSS) were studied at 500 to 800°C. The non-isothermal oxidation and isothermal oxidation (500, 575, 650, 725, 800°C) of HSS were investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The microstruc- ture, morphology and oxide scale thickness of the isothermal oxidation samples were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the oxidation rate of HSS is very slow at 500 to 650°C, increasing gradually at 650 to 750°C, and drastically at 750 to 800°C, be- cause the phase transformation happens at about 750°C.

Microstructure and forming characteristics of spray-formed M42 high speed steel

M42 high speed steel （HSS）, a high grade alloy, was produced using the spray forming technology. Optical metallography （OM）,X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） were used to investigate the microstructures of the as-sprayed M42 HSS and the as-atomized powders. It is found that as-sprayed M42 HSS is composed of martensite, retained austenite and carbides. The grain size, as well as the morphology, size and distribution of the carbides have been greatly improved compared with those of the as-cast M42 steel （ a traditional process）. The size of the powder obtained at a high cold speed was ranged from 50 μm to 100μm in diameter. Its representative microstructures include dendrite, dendritic fragments, a mixture of dendrites, equiaxed grains and dendritic fragments,and equiaxed grains. The rapid solidification in the spray forming is a key factor to cause the refinement of the M42 HSS.

Investigation on Rapidly Solidified T15 High Speed Steel Powder and Its Bulk Microcrystalline Material

Authors produced rapidly solidified T15 high speed steel powders by high pressure(5~ 6MPa) N_a atomization and liquid N_2 cooling,observed and analyzed the morphology and structure of the powders;at the same time,prepared bulk microcrystalline T15 high speed steel materials by hot extruding or HIPing and hot rolling of the powders,observed and measured the microstructure and performance of the bulk materials.It was shown that rapid solidification may change the solidification characteristics and structure of T15 high speed steel powder and improve the qualities and properties of T15 high speed steel materials.

Development and Application of Die-Casting High Speed Steel Rolls

Due to its high hardness,good red hardness and excellent wear resistance at high temperature,high speed steel(HSS)is fit for the roll manufacture.In order to overcome the segregation of centrifugal casting of HSS roll,die-cast processes were developed and its effects on the properties of the HSS roll were investigated.It was found that pressure,pressing time and speed are three important factors affecting shrinkage cavity.For pouring temperature of 1 400-1 450 ℃,pressure of 150-160 MPa,pressing time of 120-150 sand pressing speed of 14-16mm/s,a compact HSS roll was obtained,which has no segregation and small working allowance.In the high speed wire rod rolling mill,service life of the HSS roll is 5to 8times longer than that of high nickel chromium infinite chilled cast iron roll.

Microstructure and Eutectic Carbide Morphology of the High Speed Steel Strips Produced by Twin Roll Strip Casting Process

The M2 high-speed steel strip was produced by using the laboratory scale twin roll strip caster. The microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology of thus produced products were observed and analyzed, and the comparison of those with conventional products was carried out. The effects of the processing parameters such as the melting temperature, the pouring temperature, rolling speed and separating force on the microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology and their distribution were analyzed. The spheroidizing process of the strips in the annealing process was investigated. The relations between the growth and spheroidizing of the eutectic carbide and the annealing technology were obtained, and the mechanism of the twin roll strip casting process improving the eutectic carbide spheroidizing was discussed. The theoretical instruction for determining the subsequent treatment process was provided.

Structures and Properties of High-Carbon High Speed Steel by RE-Mg-Ti Compound Modification

The effects of rare earths(RE)-Mg-Ti compound modification on the structures and properties of high-carbon high speed steel(HSS) were researched.The impact toughness(α_k),the fracture toughness(K_(1c))and threshold of fatigue crack growth(ΔK_(th))are tested.The thermal fatigue test is done on a self-straining thermal fatigue tester,the wear test is done on a high temperature wear test machine.The results show that the matrix can be refined by the RE-Mg-Ti compound modification,the eutectic carbides are inclined to spheroidicize and are distributed evenly,the morphology and distribution of eutectic carbides are improved by appropriate RE-Mg-Ti complex modification.After RE-Mg-Ti compound modification,a little effects can be found on the strength,hardness and red hardness,but the fracture toughness(K_(1c)) and threshold of fatigue crack growth(△K_(th)) are improved in the meantime,the impact toughness (α_k) is increased by over one time,and the resistance to thermal fatigue and wear resistance at an elevated temperature are remarkably improved.

High Speed Steel and WC Particle-Reinforced Composites Produce by Spray Forming

The process of spray forming utilized to fabricate WC particle-reinforced high speed steel composites has been studied. In addition, microstructures and mechanical properties of M2 high speed steel and its composites made by spray forming have been analyzed. The results show that the primary carbides of high speed steel are of two types: MC and MbC. With the increase in flight distance, the morphology of the primary carbides varies from fine fish-bone-like to islandlike and both bending strength and hardness increase. With the increase in volume fraction of WC reinforcement particles,hardness of the composites increases considerably, but bending strength, however, appears to be a decreasing tendency.

SECONDARY HARDENING OF BAINITE IN HIGH SPEED STEEL

The mechanical properties and structure of bainite and martensite after tempering m 6-5-4-2 high speed steel have been investigated.It was found that the secondary hardening effect and resistance to heat softening as well as impact toughness are higher in the bainite than in the martensite.TEM observations show that the(Fe,M)_3C precipitated in the martensite after tempering at temperature near the peak of hardness-tempering temperature curve.However, no(Fe,M)_3C but the dispersive MC and M_2C precipitated in the ferrite and austenite of bainite after tempering at the same temperature.This indicates that the diffusion of alloy ele- ments forming carbide might exist during the process of bainite growing.