A CVN-KIC correlation for H13 tool steels

Fracture is the most common cause of die failure in hot extrusion. Prediction of fracture life requires a reasonably accurate determination of plane-strain fracture toughness (K-IC). Standard KIC testing is difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Charpy impact energy (CVN) is often used as an indirect measure of fracture toughness. Published CVN-K-IC correlations do not generally apply to tool steels, and are not suitable for high temperature predictions. This paper is part of a study aimed at the development of a reasonable CVN-K-IC correlation for the hot work tool steel H13, subjected to various tempering cycles and tested at different elevated temperatures, based on hardness and impact energy data.