This study focused on the mechanical and metallurgical characteristics of high-wear-resistance steel (HWS) deposited using directed energy deposition (DED) for metal substrate hardfacing or repairing. As post-deposition heat treatment changes the metallurgical characteristics of deposits, the effect of post-deposition heat treatment on the mechanical properties was investigated via microstructure observation and by conducting hardness, wear, and impact tests. The obtained micro-images showed that the deposited HWS layers exhibit cellular and columnar dendrites, and the microstructure of heat-treated HWS (HT-HWS) transformed its phase during quenching and tempering. The hardness and wear resistance of the HT-HWS deposits were higher than those of the HWS deposited specimen, whereas the latter exhibited a higher fracture toughness. The matrix microstructure and carbide characteristics, which are characterized by the chemical composition of the materials, significantly influenced the mechanical properties.
Mechanical Properties of Tool Steels with High Wear Resistance via Directed Energy Deposition
