Prediction and Analysis on Oxidation of H13 Hot Work Steel

The understanding of oxidation behaviors on H13 steel was helpful to improve the service life and performance of hot work moulds and dies. Thermal-Calc Software was performed to calculate the oxidation phases on H13 steel along with different partial oxygen pressures in the interesting temperature range of 500 – 700 °C. In this range H13 steel samples were treated respectively in different atmosphere including flowing water vapor (0.2 MPa), normal pressure air (0.1 MPa) and low pressure air (0.001 MPa). The different oxidation films were detected with optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The microstructures and phase constitutions of the films formed in low pressure air were similar to those of the films formed in water vapor, and obviously different to those of the films formed in normal pressure air. The oxidation mechanisms of H13 steel in different atmosphere were also discussed.