New insight into the relationship between the C-Cr ratio and carbides, mechanical property of cold working die steel

Abstract An new insight into the relationship between the C-Cr Ratio and carbides, mechanical property Cr Alloyed of cold working die Steel were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), rockwell hardness and impact toughness tests. The ‘C-Cr ratio’ and ‘Cr equivalent E Cr ‘ parameters were introduced to characterize the carbide characteristics and mechanical properties. The results show that the precipitation temperature of M7C3 eutectic carbides grows linearly with E Cr when the E Cr value is less than about 22, and the precipitation temperature increases significantly when the E Cr value exceeds 22, and the growth curve takes a plateau turn. The precipitation temperature of MC carbides decreases approximately linearly with E Cr value, and the precipitation of MC eutectic carbides will be completely suppressed when the E Cr value exceeds 19. The content of eutectic carbides in the as-cast organization is more, the shape is more complex and the size is larger. The ratio of Cr and Fe content in the composition of M7C3 eutectic carbides is linearly related to the Cr-C ratio; the content of carbides in the steel after forging and the E Cr value are basically linear. The average particle size and the average length of longitudinal carbides after forging are basically proportional to the E Cr value. The average particle size of longitudinal carbides after forging is greater than 4 μm and the E Cr value are basically linear; when the Cr content is greater than 4%, the quenching peak hardness of steel and the C/Cr have a good linear relationship; as the E Cr value gradually increases, the impact toughness of steel gradually decreases. These results are important not only for understanding the strengthening mechanisms of die steel, but also for the composition design and carbide control of cold working die steel.