Hardness and toughness investigations of deep cryogenic treated cold work die steel

In consideration of good results about the application of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on materials, the effect on the microstructure and properties (hardness, toughness and the content of retained austenite) of a new developed cold work die steel (Cr8Mo2SiV) was examined. The execution of the deep cryogenic treatment in different processes showed a varying effect on materials. It was shown that the hardness of the DCT specimens was higher (+0.5HRC to +2HRC) whereas the toughness was lower when compared with the conventionally treated specimens (quenching and tempering). Following the DCT process retained austenite transformed into martensite, however, not completely.