Influence of hot forging on microstructure in double tempered H11 hot forging dies

Abstract

Hot forging dies are exposed to severe in-service thermomechanical stress, which induces microstructural changes leading to die failures. Thus, research in forging industries is focussed on study of in-service microstructural changes in hot forging dies. Hot forging tests were performed on double tempered AISI H11 steel dies for test duration of 100 and 500 forging strokes. Further, microstructural analyses were conducted on die surface. From microstructural analyses on die surface, it was revealed that chromium rich carbides grows in size with increase in number of forging cycles. Further, quantitative analysis of the carbide distribution was performed.