Effects of conventional heat treatment on wear resistance of AISI H13 tool steel

Effects of conventional heat treatment on wear resistance of AISI H13 tool steel have been investigated. A pin-on-disc configuration at speed of 0.07 m/s with two loads of 29.4 and 98 N was employed to study the wear behavior. In order to understand wear mechanisms, wear tracks and debris were studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray methods. In addition, the depth of strain hardened zone below wear tracks and friction behavior of AISI H13 tool steel were evaluated. The experimental results show that under 29.4 N load, the specimens in the quenched state have the highest wear resistance and debris are a mixture of oxide and plate-like metallic powders. On the other hand, at 98 N load level, the specimens tempered for 30–60 min at 600 °C have the higher wear resistance and the mode of wear is oxidative.