Abstract:

In this study, the effect of different heat treatments on the microstructure and hardness of an X40CrMoV5-1 hot work tool steel used as a mold material was investigated. Heat treatment processes were applied as austenitization, cryogenic treatment and two-stage tempering at three different temperatures. After heat treatments, the microstructures of the samples were examined with a light microscope and RockwellC hardness was measured. Then, tribological properties were investigated by applying nitriding surface treatment with gas nitriding method to certain samples selected according to tempering temperature and cryogenic treatment condition. The effect of cryogenic treatment on the tribological properties of nitrided samples was investigated with the specific wear rate and microscopic examinations as a result of the dry friction wear test. The results showed that the tribological properties of the nitrided samples in terms of specific wear rate and wear mechanism were better in the deep cryogenic treatment applied sample.

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