Analysis of fracture resistance of tool steels by means of Acoustic Emission

The usage of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) in structural automotive components has been broadened in the past few years to satisfy the strict specifications of the automotive industry. Besides showing excellent strength to weight rations, AHSS have several limitations due to the high loads required in cold forming and cutting tools, which decrease considerably the tooling performances. Therefore, these important forces of impact provoke unforeseen breakage of the dies. The aim of this research is to study the micromechanical behaviour and fracture mechanisms (nucleation and crack propagation) during fracture of tool steels using the acoustic emission (EA) technique. To do that, bending testing specimens of different tool steels were monitored in order to establish a relationship between AE signals and their mechanical behavior (carbide breakage, cracks emanating from them and crack propagation through the metallic matrix).