Optimization of wear-, fracture- and corrosion performance of Vanadis 6 steel through cryogenic treatment and tempering

Abstract Vanadis 6 cold work tool steel was vacuum austenitized, room temperature quenched, differently cryogenically treated (-75, -140 and -196 °C for different durations) double tempered, at temperatures of either 170 or 530 °C. Galling resistance assessed by pin-on-disc testing specimens against CuSn bronze, wide ranges sliding velocities loads. The obtained results show that cryogenic treatments combined with low tempering improves anti-galling performance the steel. best tribological properties were when high-temperature treatment °C, due to maximum extent microstructural alteration generated this kind treatment. improvement in wear is accompanied slight but undisputable increase corrosion steel, almost no affected toughness as compared state after conventional heat In conclusion, imply an opportunity simultaneously improve performance, examined choosing a proper combination tempering.