High-Temperature Properties and Microstructural Stability of the AISI H13 Hot-Work Tool Steel Processed by Selective Laser Melting
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Technology (China)
- University of Louisville, Department of Industrial Engineering (United States)
- Guangdong Kelon Mould Co., Ltd (China)
The microstructural stabilities, softening resistance, and high-temperature tensile properties of the H13 hot-work tool steel by selective laser melting (SLM) were systematically studied. A series of tempering procedures were performed on the as-SLMed specimens. Afterwards, the mechanism of softening resistance behavior was discussed based on the XRD, SEM, EBSD observations, hardness measurements, and high-temperature tensile tests. It was found that the as-SLMed H13 consisted of α-iron and γ-iron. The carbide-stabilizing elements aggregated as the cell-like substructures for the rapid solidification of the SLM process. After the softening resistance treatment, the retained austenite transformed to ferrite and carbide mixtures. The cell-like substructures dissolved slowly into the matrix when the temperature was below 550 °C. These factors increased the hardness and retarded the softening of the material. When the temperature was 600 °C, the microstructural constituents transformed to soft ferrite and globular carbides, which lead to a considerable decrease of the hardness. Due to the grain refinement, solid solution strengthening, and residual stress, the as-SLMed H13 exhibited better mechanical properties than that of the wrought counterparts.
- OSTI ID:
- 22933605
- Journal Information:
- Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. B, Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science, Vol. 50, Issue 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2019 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1073-5615
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AUSTENITE
BACKSCATTERING
CARBIDES
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
FERRITE
FERRITES
GRAIN REFINEMENT
HARDNESS
HOT WORKING
LASER RADIATION
MELTING
MICROSTRUCTURE
RESIDUAL STRESSES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SOLID SOLUTIONS
SOLIDIFICATION
STEELS
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0400-1000 K
TEMPERING
TENSILE PROPERTIES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION