The asquenched microstructure and tempering behavior of rapidly solidified tungsten steels

Transmission electron microscopy, and microhardness testing were used to examine the as-quenched structure and mechanical properties of a series of rapidly solidified (RS) iron-tungsten-carbon-alloys ranging from 6 to 23 pct tungsten with a constant W:C atomic ratio of 2:1, and Tl high speed tool steel. The RS iron-tungsten-carbon alloys were found to exhibit a significant change in microstructure and hardness as the tungsten and carbon content was increased. The change in morphology was from lath martensite in the lower tungsten alloys to a solidification structure of δ-ferrite cells surrounded by austenite and M₆C carbide, in the higher tungsten alloys. A model is proposed to explain the morphologicl change. In addition, the tempering behaviors of RS Fe-6.2 wt pct W-0.21 wt pct C, Fe-23 wt pct W-0.75 wt pct C and Tl high speed tool steel were examined and compared to those observed for the conventional solution-treated and quenched alloys. A discussion is also included on the microstructural dependence upon cooling rate of RS high speed tool steels. formerly of School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, England.