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Laser melting and heat treatment of m2 tool steel: A microstructural characterization

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Abstract

Microstructural characterization and electron diffraction crystal structure determinations have been carried out on the tool steel M2. Detailed examination using optical microscopy and thin-film and replica transmission electron microscopy substantiate preliminary findings.2,3 Namely, that laser melted material has a two-phase σ-ferrite/austenite matrix containing a dispersion of fine M2C carbides together with a smaller amount of M23C6 carbides. Subsequent heat treatment at 560 and 1230°C increases the hardness (to a maximum value of ∼1100 VHN) by carbide precipitation. In material heat treated at 560°C there is a preponderance of M23C6 carbides together with a small amount of M2C carbides. In contrast, the effect of heat treatment at 1230°C is to produce material containing only MC1-x type carbides with diameters in the range from 20 nm to ∼1 µm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Materials Laboratory (AFSC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 45322, OH

    Young-Won Kim

  2. Metallurgy Department, University of Connecticut, 06268, Storrs, CN

    P. R. Strutt & H. Nowotny

Authors
  1. Young-Won Kim
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  2. P. R. Strutt
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  3. H. Nowotny
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formerly with the Metallurgy Department, University of Connecticut

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Kim, YW., Strutt, P.R. & Nowotny, H. Laser melting and heat treatment of m2 tool steel: A microstructural characterization. Metall Trans A 10, 881–886 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02658307

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02658307

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