Tool steel, application

The Dilex Process utilises a molten lead bath as transfer medium and is applicable to diflfusion coatings of Cr, Al, Ti, Mo, Ni and Co. Finally, a Japanese fused borate bath process produces carbide coatings (Cr, V, Nb or Ta) on carbon and tool steels. The coatings are wear and corrosion resistant. The TD Process uses this technique. 

Biyson, B., Heat Treatment. Selection, and Application of Tool Steels, Gardner Publications., Inc., Cincinnati. OH, 1997. 

The segment then undergoes suitable heat treatment to achieve the desired hardness. With the help of HIP technology it is possible to produce highly wear-resistant tool steels (primarily vanadium-alloyed) but also to combine abrasion- and corrosion-resistant properties as required (Cr-, Mo-, V-alloys). HIP technology (see Section 16.4.1) also allows to specifically create materials for different applications. 

The metal forms a stable carbide, V4C3, and is used to refine the grain and carbide structure of steel and to improve its hardness at elevated temperatures. Amongst its numerous applications are incorporation in high-speed tool steels and exhaust-valve springs. 

About 8% of HSS are produced today by powder metallurgy (P/M). This amount is steadily increasing, in particular in the field of cutting tools (gear cutter, endmills, taps, and broaches) [8.10]. More carbides can be added compared to conventional HSS and a finer particle size and more uniform distribution of the carbides can be achieved. However, the costs are still higher than for conventional tool steels, which retards a more general applicability [8.10]. 

Group H covers hot work tool steels, which retain strength, toughness and resistance to softening at elevated temperatures. Group H steels are very strong and have important structural applications, such as rolls and fasteners (e.g., HI 1 and HI3). 

Groups P and L are mold and special purpose tool steels, respectively, and have niche applications. 

In steel applications, vanadium is used in the production of KSLA steels, tool and die steels, open die forgings and to some extent as a strengthening agent in plain carbon steels. The titanium industry employs vanadium as an alloy addition to titanium-base alloys used principally in air-frame and gas... 

Microinjection Molding for Microfluidics Applications, Fig. 13 Comparison of focused ion beam milled patterns on conventional tool steel (a) and bulk metallic glass (b) (Reprinting with permission) [10]... 

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