Effect of Cryosoaking Period and Soft-Tempering Temperature on Wear Behavior of AISI H13 Steel

Hot work tool steels like AISI H13 are used mainly for high-temperature metal forming operations. The current research includes subjecting AISI H13 tool steel to deep cryogenic treatment and subsequently studying their wear behavior. The specimens were hardened at 1020 °C followed by double tempering at 500 °C for 2 h. The other set of specimens were hardened, double tempered, cryogenically treated (− 185 °C) at different cryosoaking periods. Microstructural analysis and hardness measurements were carried out along with the wear testing on pin-on-disk machine with SAE 52100 counter-face material at room temperature conditions. Double tempering was chosen as a treatment post-hardening. Deep cryogenically treated specimens indicated improved hardness and wear resistance as compared to conventionally treated materials which could be attributed to the precipitation of fine carbides in the matrix of tempered martensite. Minimum wear rate assisted in optimizing soft-tempering temperature at 50 °C post-deep cryogenic treatment.