Microstructural and mechanical characteristics of novel 6% Cr cold-work tool steel

We investigated a new cold-work tool steel with a low Cr content of 6 wt. % which was designed based on thermodynamic calculation to minimize the formation of primary carbide. A smaller particle size and a smaller volume fraction of carbides were observed in this 6% Cr steel. Superior mechanical properties in terms of hardness, impact toughness, tensile strength, and total elongation were achieved in this steel, due to fine secondary carbides precipitated during tempering. These carbide particles were M₆C and (Mo,V)C carbides with a diameter below 100 nm.