An accelerated spheroidization method in high chromium tool steel

In this work, an as-cast ultra-high carbon steel (UHCS) was subjected to cyclic heat treatment process that consisted of repeated short duration (30 min) holding at 950°C (above Ac3) and quenched by oil. After 7 cycles, the microstructure mostly contained fine and spheroidized carbide. The microstructure of this steels were investigated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and the hardness has been studied and mechanical tests were done. To investigate the composition of carbides in samples EDX has used. The phase transformation and phase transition of carbide were discussed and investigated. The present results indicate that UHCS can be easily processed to achieve unique microstructures and properties

Keywords:

UHCS , spheroidized carbide , cyclic heat treatment , phase transformation , phase transition