Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on the Phase Change and Mechanical Property in STD11 steel for Die and Tool

Effects of austenitizing, cryogenic treatment and tempering conditions on the phase change, microstructure and Vickers hardness value have been studied in STD11 steel for tool and die. The volume fraction of retained austenite increased with a rise in austenitizing temperature, while the volume fraction of eutectoid $M_7C_3$ carbides decreased. The retained austenite could be reduced by cryogenic treatment i.e., maintaining at $LN_2$ temperature ($-196^{\circ}C$) for 12hrs but a little amount of retained austenite did not transform to martensite further although holding time increased to 24 hrs or more. The microstructure of the quenched and then cryogenictreated specimen showed nano-sized and needle-shaped carbides in matrix due to the decomposition of martensite by tempering, but that of the one without cryogenic treatment still revealed retained austenite by tempering even at $500^{\circ}C$.

STD11강의 상변화 및 기계적 성질에 미치는 초심냉처리의 영향