Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Performance of Hot Work Tool Steel Processed by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

Microstructural characterization of hot work tool steel processed by selective laser melting was carried out. The findings shed light on the interrelationship between processing parameters and the microstructural evolution. It was found that the microstructure after layerwise processing partially consists of metastable-retained austenite which transforms to martensite in a subsequent tensile test. This improves the mechanical properties of the hot work tool steel enabling direct application.

Evaluation of Strain-Rate Sensitivity of Selective Laser Melted H13 Tool Steel Using Nanoindentation Tests

“…An additive manufacturing (AM) technique, which builds parts from 3D digital models typically by a layer additive process, has been an effective method to solve these problems [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Accordingly, AM of hot-work steels, including H13, has attracted increasing attention due to the potential of AM to transform the die-making industry, i.e., greatly shortened time for mold making, positive mechanical properties, and an advantage to realize conformal cooling [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Selective laser melting (SLM), which is a powder-bed-fusion-based AM process, has been widely used due to its ability to produce intricate molds with not only near-full density but also a refined microstructure [10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…Accordingly, AM of hot-work steels, including H13, has attracted increasing attention due to the potential of AM to transform the die-making industry, i.e., greatly shortened time for mold making, positive mechanical properties, and an advantage to realize conformal cooling [9][10][11][12][13][14]. Selective laser melting (SLM), which is a powder-bed-fusion-based AM process, has been widely used due to its ability to produce intricate molds with not only near-full density but also a refined microstructure [10][11][12][13][14]. The effects of the SLM process on the microstructure and properties of H13 have been reported using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) [1][2][3]10,12].…”

Microstructural design of Ni-base alloys for high-temperature applications: impact of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties after selective laser melting

“…a laser in the case of selective laser melting (SLM) or an electron beam in the case of selective electron beam melting (SEBM). Although the energy source is different, many recent studies showed that both techniques are capable of processing a wide range of metallic materials, e.g., Ti-6Al-4V, 316L stainless steel, H13 tool steel, Ni-base superalloys, TWIP-steel, tantalum and aluminium [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. As SLM was applied in this study, the focus will be on this technique in the remainder.…”

Microstructure and properties of FeCrMoVC tool steel produced by selective laser melting

“…In comparison with other tool steels processed by SLM, the hardness of the tested FeCrMoVC alloy is remarkably high. Common alloys like M2 tool steel reach hardness values between 800 and 900 HV 0.1 [32], H13 tool steel has a reported hardness of 670 HV 5 [10] and for X110CrMoVAl 8-2 tool steel 765 HV 10 is observed [8].…”

“…So far, only a few studies on processing of tool steels by SLM have been published [2,[8][9][10]. One reason for this circumstance is that tool steels with high-strength and low toughness are susceptible to cracking and, therefore, challenging to process.…”