Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Thermal Stability of Carbon-Free High Speed Tool Steel Strengthened by Intermetallics Compared to Vanadis 60 Steel Strengthened by Carbides

High speed tool steels are materials that exhibit superior mechanical properties (e.g., high hardness). They should also be resistant to thermal exposure to maintain high hardness during the machining process. In this paper, a C-free tool steel formed of Fe matrix and a Mo6Co7 intermetallic phase was studied. This steel was compared to the well-known Vanadis 60 steel containing Fe matrix and carbides. Microstructures were investigated by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, and the mechanical properties and thermal stability of both materials were compared. It was proven that the strengthening in the Vanadis 60 steel was mainly caused by the carbides, while the C-free steel was strengthened by the Mo6Co7 phase. The hardness values of both materials were comparable in the utilization state (approx. 950 HV). The hardness of Vanadis 60 steel decreased after several minutes of annealing at 650 degrees C under the value that enables material utilization. The hardness value of the steel strengthened by the intermetallics also decreased but significantly slower. Based on these results, the main finding of this study is that the C-free steel exhibited much better thermal stability and may be utilized at higher temperatures for longer periods of time than Vanadis 60.

Automated summary

The study found that the C-free tool steel exhibited better thermal stability than Vanadis 60, allowing for longer periods of use at higher temperatures. Both materials had comparable hardness values in the utilization state. The strengthening in the Vanadis 60 steel was mainly caused by carbides, while the C-free steel was strengthened by the intermetallic phase.