Wear resistance of high-speed steels and cutting performance of tool related to structural factors

The dry, abrasive wear and cutting resistance of a high-speed steel has been investigated for both the cast and wrought states. The presence of a network of eutectic carbides in the cast material is shown to enhance its wear resistance because the network prevents excessive plasticity at the contact surfaces. In contrast, the isolated carbides in the wrought form are less effective so that the wear surfaces show roughness caused by plasticity, leading to an enhanced wear rate. Similar conclusions are reached with respect to the cutting behaviour of tool inserts made from the cast and wrought steels.