Enhanced red hardness through fine carbides in M2 high-speed steel fabricated via electron beam powder bed fusion
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: M2 high-speed steel (HSS) is a crucial raw material for the manufacturing of high-performance precision cutting tools. Additive manufacturing technology , such as electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), enables the short-flow and high-efficiency fabrication of tools with complex structures, presenting promising development prospects. This study investigated the microstructural evolution and hardness variation of EB-PBF fabricated M2 HSS under simulated tool service conditions (500–600 °C, 1–3 cycles, 1 h per cycle). After service, the grain structure of the samples was further refined from 2.67 μm to 1.27–1.49 μm, accompanied by intensified precipitation of intracrystalline fine carbides , while the hardness remained between 61 and 66.1 HRC. Compared to the wrought bulk counterpart (quenched and tempered), the material exhibits a maximum improvement of 14 % in red hardness and 10.5 % in wear resistance.
Authors: Yingkang Wei, Yufeng Zhang, Xin Chu, Shufeng Yang, Jianyong Wang, Wenpeng Jia, Jilei Zhu, Shifeng Liu
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,640
OpenAlex ID: W4408672001