LOW TEMPERATURE HARDENABLE STEELS WITH EXCELLENT MACHINABILITY

摘要

The present invention relates to the application of at least partially bainitic or interstitial martensitic heat treatments on steels, often tool steels or steels that can be used for tools. The first tranche of the heat treatment implying austenitization is applied so that the steel presents a low enough hardness to allow for advantageous shape modification, often trough machining. Thus a steel product is obtained which can be shaped with ease and whose hardness can be raised to a higher working hardness with a simple heat treatment at low temperature (below austenitization temperature).

主权项

1. A steel with a partially bainitic and/or partially interstitial martensitic microstructure, comprising retained austenite, and/or cementite, which is not wholly dissolved in a solid solution, and/or carbide formers stronger than iron which are present in the solid solution.