Dry sliding wear behavior of bonded hot-work tool steel at elevated temperatures

In the present study, the surface of AISI H13 hot-work tool steel was bonded with EKabor II powders using powder pack-bonding method. The process was carried out at 800,900 and 1000 degrees C temperatures for 2,4 and 6 h periods. The wear tests were carried out using a ball-on disc tribometer at room temperature and 500 degrees C on bonded and untreated AISI H13 hot-work tool steel. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope, 3D profilometer, X-ray diffraction analysis and micro-hardness tester were used in the evaluation of micro-structure and wear data. The increase in the bonding temperature and bonding period led to increased thickness and hardness of the boride layer. Bonding at 800 degrees C resulted with formation of Fe2B, Mn2B, Cr5B3, phases, while FeB, Fe2B, Mn2B, and Cr5B3 boride phases occurred at 900 and 1000 degrees C. Dominant wear mechanisms were microcrack-induced plastic deformation during high temperature wear tests; oxidation and microcrack formation during room temperature wear tests; and oxidation and severe plastic deformation for the untreated specimen. (C) 2017 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.