Features of the Heating and Deformation of Tool Steels with Eutectic Carbides

This study examines the behavior of carbides in high-carbon alloy tool steels Kh12F1 and Kh6F1 when they are heated prior to hot deformation. It is shown that a liquid phase can form at temperatures above 1100°C. Formulas are obtained to determine the temperatures at which the carbides begin to dissolve, these temperatures being determined in relation to the chemical composition of the steel. Other formulas are obtained to calculate the chromium content of Me7C3 carbides. A model is proposed to describe the fracture of steels during deformation at different temperatures. The optimum contents of chromium and carbon are found in order to broaden the range in which the steels exhibit satisfactory process ductility.