Effects of sintering process and heat treatments on microstructures and mechanical properties of VANADIS 4 tool steel added with TiC powders

In this study, commercial VANADIS 4 (V-4) tool steel powders were classified by sifting, which was previously the matrix, and fine TiC powder was used as an additive to produce a new material with high hardness and wear resistance, via powder metallurgy and a sintering process. Experimental results showed that the transverse rupture strength of the original V-4 steel powder was 678.5 MPa and was enhanced to 868.6 MPa below 25 mu m, after the addition of 35 wt-% TiC powders through sintering at 1400 degrees C. In addition, the hardness increased to 86.2 HRA, transverse rupture strength reached 1059.3 MPa and porosity decreased to 1.2% of the V-4 steel powders (below 25 mu m) added with 35 wt-% TiC after sintered at 1400 degrees C and annealed at 850 degrees C, followed by quenching at 1030 degrees C and tempering at 200 degrees C.