Deep cryogenic treatment of tool steels

The aim of our research work was to investigate the effect of deep cryogenic treatment on fracture toughness, wear resistance and load-carrying capacity of cold work tool steel and to determine the effectiveness of deep cryogenic treatment depending on the tool steel type and chemical composition. The type and chemical composition of the tool steel considerably affect the way how deep cryogenic treatment changes mechanical, tribological and load-carrying capacity of the tool steel. For lower carbon and higher W and Co containing cold work tool steel properties can be improved for up to 70%, but are very limited in the case of high-speed steel. At high carbon and vanadium contents properties of cold work tool steels can even be deteriorated after deep cryogenic treatment. In terms of abrasive wear resistance and load-carrying capacity increasing the hardness is the most decisive factor.