The microstructure of the investigated X153CrMoV12 grade tool steel in delivered condition consisted of spheroidal matrix and primary carbides. The primary carbides were not dissolved under austenitisation time on either 1030°C or 1070°C. The microstructure and abrasion resistance of the steel changed due to quenching from different austenitisation temperatures. After conventional quenching from the higher austenitising temperature, there is more residual austenite in the steel than at quenching from the lower austenitisation temperature, which decreased the wear resistance. As a result of quenching from 1070°C followed by a multiple tempering process around 500 to 540°C, the retained austenite content is reduced and finely dispersed carbides are precipitated in the matrix, resulting in a higher matrix hardness and an increased wear resistance. After cryogenic treatment, the residual austenite content decreases compared to the conventional process, which leads to an increase in hardness and wear resistance.

The tools of multi-directional machining, having appeared in the recent years, have revolutionised turning operations. The chip removal of high feed roughing and finishing inserts is so specialised, that new formulas have to be introduced instead of those used so far. In this paper, the result of tests carried out up till now will be summarised; furthermore, a proposal will be made on the description, analysis and calculation of force demand of multi-directional inserts as well as the roughness of the surface being prepared during machining.

The wide use of composite materials is mainly due to their excellent strength / mass ratio, corrosion resistance and relatively low price. Approximately 35-40% of the fibre-reinforced composites are made of thermoplastic polymers in which fibreglass, carbon or natural fibres are most often used as reinforcement, while the remaining 60 – 65% is made up of high-tech carbon or glass fibre-reinforced thermosetting composites. Most of them are used in the transport and electronics industries. New processing technologies not only improve the properties of the products but also contribute to reducing costs. In this paper, we compare the results of mechanical tests with molded standard specimens with polypropylene matrix and test results from cut-outs from injection molded products.

The microstructure of the investigated X153CrMoV12 grade tool steel in delivered condition consisted of spheroidal matrix and primary carbides. The primary carbides were not dissolved under austenitisation time on either 1030°C or 1070°C. The microstructure and abrasion resistance of the steel changed due to quenching from different austenitisation temperatures. After conventional quenching from the higher austenitising temperature, there is more residual austenite in the steel than at quenching from the lower austenitisation temperature, which decreased the wear resistance. As a result of quenching from 1070°C followed by a multiple tempering process around 500 to 540°C, the retained austenite content is reduced and finely dispersed carbides are precipitated in the matrix, resulting in a higher matrix hardness and an increased wear resistance. After cryogenic treatment, the residual austenite content decreases compared to the conventional process, which leads to an increase in hardness and wear resistance.