Performance of cryogenically treated HSS tools

Studies on cryogenically treated high speed steel tools show microstructural changes in the material that can influence tool lives and productivity significantly. Results in the literature show tool life improvements from 92% to 817% when using the cryogenically treated HSS tools in the industry. However, the real mechanisms which guarantee better tool performance are still dubious. This implies in the need of further investigation in order to control the technique more scientifically. This work aims to verify the effect of cryogenic treatment on M2 high speed steel tools after using either laboratories or shop floor tests in an automotive industry. Sliding abrasion and hardness tests were also carried out as well as microstructural analysis. Advantages were found for the treated tools in some of these tests. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.