Abstract
In the present study, Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel was investigated concerning wear resistance and fatigue strength, using laboratory and semi-industrial tests. The Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean was designed with the help of ThermoCalc calculations to contain a high amount of a carbonitride phase, which was suggested to improve tribological performance of this tool steel. In order to investigate the tested steel, galling tests with a slider-on flat-surface tribotester and semi-industrial punching tests were performed on an advanced high-strength steel, CP1180HD. Uddeholm Vanadis 8 SuperClean containing only a carbide phase and Uddeholm Vancron 40 containing a mixture of carbides and carbonitrides were also tested to compare the performance of the tool steels. The microstructure and wear mechanisms were characterized with scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the carbonitrides presented in Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean improved its resistance to material transfer and galling. Semi-industrial punching tests also confirmed that Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel also possesses enhanced resistance to chipping and fatigue crack nucleation, which confirms the beneficial role of the carbonitride phase in wear resistance of cold work tool steel.
Highlights
Developments in sheet metals that lead to increasing strength for every generation of sheet metals put high demands on cold work tool steels
The present study aimed to investigate the influence of the microstructure of three powder metallurgical tool steels, Vancron SuperClean, Vancron 40 and Vanadis 8 SuperClean on their tribological performance in punching applications
Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel was designed with help of ThermoCalc calculations to contain a high amount of a carbonitride phase, which was suggested to improve tribological performance and wear resistance of this tool steel
Summary
Developments in sheet metals that lead to increasing strength for every generation of sheet metals put high demands on cold work tool steels. Mechanical properties such as high hardness and good toughness are essential for tool steels to withstand the stresses that are generated when forming stronger sheet materials. Tool steel manufacturers commonly govern steel properties to meet the required demands by combining a hard phase and tough matrix [1,2,3]. Nitrogen works as a substitute for the carbon and leads to the formation of primary carbonitrides in the steel matrix. High nitrogen content in Metals 2020, 10, 1326; doi:10.3390/met10101326 www.mdpi.com/journal/metals
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