Effect of composition modification on the mechanical properties in hot-working tool steels

In today's context, the metal forming industry is rapidly evolving in its quest for materials that stand out with high strength, durability, and machinability characteristics. In this regard, hot work tool steels play a critical role in industrial production processes. Specifically designed for applications subjected to high temperatures, these special steel types excel in hot working processes such as metal forming, forging, rolling, and extrusion. By providing durability, wear resistance, and thermal stability under high-temperature conditions, hot work tool steels enhance the efficiency and product quality of industrial production processes. Understanding in detail the changes in microstructure and mechanical properties, achieved through the addition of grain-refining elements, is crucial for optimizing the performance and durability of this important material class. In this context, the current thesis aims to examine the effects of grain-refining element additions to hot work tool steels on microstructure and mechanical properties. Evaluating the impact of grain-refining elements on the properties of steels can contribute to the design of more durable and efficient materials for industrial applications. This thesis intends to fill a significant gap in the field of materials engineering by addressing how the unique microstructure features of hot work tool steels change with the addition of grain-refining elements and how these changes affect mechanical performance. Within the scope of the thesis, castings will be processed in a vacuum induction furnace, and hot forming processes will be carried out on the open-die. The forged materials will undergo heat treatment processes in the furnace. In addition to microstructure properties on heat-treated materials, tensile tests will be conducted to determine yield and tensile strengths. Notch impact tests will be performed to assess toughness values at different temperatures, and hardness tests will be applied to identify the general hardness distribution of material properties.