Influence of Integrated HIP Heat Treatments on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a PM Tool Steel: Experiment and Simulation

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Previous research activities by the applicants, including research projects funded by the DFG, investigated the effects of pressure on the microstructural evolution of several metallic alloy systems. By building upon prior knowledge, this project aims to uncover and utilize the process-structure-property relationships associated with heat treatments integrated into hot isostatic pressing of high-alloy tool steels. These complex multiphase materials are particularly interesting as a subject matter because of their technological bearing and underlying micro and macro thermomechanical properties. Process-structure links will be studied by generating targeted microstructural states and investigating them through image anaylsis and stereological techniques. Structure-property relationships, on the other hand, will be uncovered by extensive mechanical testing. At the heart of these efforts is state-of-the-art laboratory equipment: A novel uniform rapid quenching hot isostatic press, capable of deploying complex temperature and pressure profiles, will set the target microstructures in an integrated consolidation-heat treatment process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy will provide the required resolution to identify and describe the present microstructural evolutions. In addition, cyclic and quasi-static mechanical properties of selected microstructural states will be investigated. These include high-resolution testing and characterization methods that reveal otherwise undetectable microstructural features and allow analysis of the correlation between microstructure and properties. Thermokinetic simulations will support this experimental discovery effort to provide deeper insights into the active mechanisms while delivering a means to pursue microstructure design.