Microstructure of Tool Steel Castings for Cold-Work Die Inserts

The microstructure of a high-carbon and high-chromium cast steel (HK700) for cold-work die inserts was analyzed by advanced scanning electron microscopy. A continuous network of primary $M_7C_3$ carbide was developed among austenitic matrix after casting. A small amount of $M_2C$ was added to the carbide network owing to the enrichment of Mo and W during the solidification. After quenching in which the austenitization was performed at $1030^{\circ}C$ and double tempering at $520^{\circ}C$, the network structure of $M_7C_3$ was preserved while most of the matrix was transformed to martensite because of additional carbide precipitation. The $M_2C$ in the as-cast microstructure was also transformed to $M_6C$ due to its instability. The continuous network of coarse carbides owing to the absence of hot-working had little influence on the hardness after quenching and tempering, whereas it resulted in severe brittleness upon flexural loading.

냉간금형 인서트(insert)용 주강의 미세조직