Additive manufacturing (AM) has experienced significant growth and development in recent years, owing to the ability to produce complex parts using a wide range of materials with relative ease. Powder bed-based metal AM has been at the forefront of this growth, even reaching the point where parts can be manufactured for end-use applications. Binder jetting (BJ) is one such technique where a liquid binder is selectively deposited on powder layers to create a green body which is then densified using sintering. The aim of this work was to use binder jetting to produce parts using Vanadis 4 Extra, a highly alloyed cold-work tool steel produced by Uddeholm AB for applications involving high demand on abrasive wear. Optimization of the densification parameters, which included debinding atmosphere, debinding temperature, sintering atmosphere, sintering temperature, and sintering time, to achieve full density parts was carried out as the first phase. It was found that the sintering atmosphere and time had the most significant impact on the density of the samples while the debinding atmosphere heavily impacted the C residue from the binder. In the second phase, samples were produced using the optimized parameters for mechanical analysis, which included analyses of the surface roughness and the wear resistance of the binder jetted samples against the conventionally produced samples. The surface roughness was in line with the data presented in literature for binder jetted samples. The binder jetted samples produced during this work exhibited better wear resistance than the conventionally produced samples, with the samples post-processed using hot isostatic pressing showing even better wear resistance. One possible explanation is the diffusion of N from the sintering atmosphere into the samples, leading to the conversion of carbides to carbonitrides and even nitrides. However, further investigation is needed in order to confirm this theory.

No description available.

Nitrogen-alloyed tool steel is made at Uddeholms AB by adding high-nitrogen ferroalloy after vacuum degassing where introduced impurities are hard to remove. In this thesis two types of high-nitrogen ferrochromium are compared, a solid version and a powder cored wire. They are examined in crossection and 16 samples from four charges are examined with Pulse Distribution Analysis as well as systematic microscopy of polished cross sections. The PDA results missed smaller spinel inclusions shown in previous research to be detrimental. The wire form shows promise but more charges need to be evaluated before a conclusion is drawn. / Kvävelegerat verktygsstål tillverkas hos Uddeholms AB genom tillsats av kväverika ferrolegeringar efter vakumavgasning, och orenheter som introduceras i detta steg är svåra att avskilja. I den har uppsatsen jämförs två typer av kväverikt ferrokrom varav en i form av stycken och en i form av tråd med pulverkärna. De undersöks i tvärsnitt och totalt 16 prov från fyra charger undersöks med PDA (pulsfördelningsanalys) och systematisk mikroskopering i tvärsnitt. Resultaten från PDA missade mindre inneslutningar av spinell vilka tidigare har visat sig problematiska. Trådformen verkar lovande men fler charger behöver undersökas för att kunna dra en definitiv slutsats.

The main problem encountered in this thesis is the lack of research and knowledge of selective laser melted-printing with Uddeholm Dievar®. This absence of information could cause issues regarding quality and properties of the alloy as well as uncertainty regarding an appropriate heat treatment cycle. This thesis mainly focuses on observing the changes that occur in the microstructure when Uddeholm Dievar® is manufactured through the additive manufacturing (AM) method known as selective laser melting (SLM). The SLM- method consists of a high-power laser that melts together thin layers of powder, one layer at a time, until a three-dimensional product is created according to selected drawings. The methodology on which this thesis is based on is the execution of a theoretical study, scientific experiments and thermodynamic calculations. Analysis of the microstructure is performed using a scanning electron microscope with techniques such as Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The purpose of the methods are to map the constituent elements of the alloy and observe the orientation of the crystallographic phases in the atomic lattice respectively. The results show that the powder, both before and after printing, mainly consists of martensite with a low amount of residual austenite. The amount of primary carbides is relatively low and has been classified as MC (V-rich) and/or M6C (Mo- rich) type. The remaining residual austenite could be explained by the segregation of constituent alloying elements, where the carbon content is a dominant factor to why the MS -temperature lowers significantly causing the presence of retained austenite even though SLM has a cooling rate that varies between 103 and 108 [K/s]. / Det huvudsakliga problemet som denna avhandling behandlar är bristen på forskning och kunskap inom selective laser melting (SLM) 3D-printing med Uddeholm Dievar®. Avsaknaden kan leda till sämre kvalité och produktegenskaper hos legeringen. Det kan även leda till ovisshet gällande val av lämplig värmebehandling. Arbetet fokuserar på att dokumentera utformningen av stålets mikrostruktur när Uddeholm Dievar® tillverkas med den additiva tillverkningsmetoden SLM. Tillverkningsprocessen består av en högeffektslaser som detaljerat smälter samman tunna lager pulver, ett lager i taget, tills att en tredimensionell produkt skapats utefter valda ritningar. Använda metoder är; utförandet av en teoretisk studie, vetenskapliga experiment och thermodynamiska beräkningar. Analys av mikrostrukturen genomförs med hjälp av svepelektronmikroskåp där teknikerna Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) och Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) används. Syftet med EDS är att kartlägga de ingående elementen i legeringen, syftet med EBSD är att se orientering av de kristallografiska faserna i atomgittret. Resultaten visar på att legeringen, både före och efter printing, till största del består av martensit med en låg mängd restaustenit. Mängden primärkarbider är relativt låg och har klassifiserats som typen MC (V-rik) och/eller M6C (Mo- rik). Den kvarstående restausteniten kan möjligen förklaras av segringen av ingående legeringsämnen där kolhalten är en dominerande faktor som sänker MS-temperaturen. Detta gör att restaustenit förekommer trots den höga kylhastigheten som varierar mellan 103 och 108 [K/s] i SLM.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a formação e evolução da camada de nitretos sobre substrato de ferro com pureza de 99,83% e do aço AISI H12, nitretados por plasma. As camadas foram obtidas com a variação sistemática das condições de nitretação, como temperatura, tempo e frequência do plasma. A atmosfera de trabalho empregada foi a de uma mistura gasosa de 20% N2 + 80% H2, mantida à pressão constante de 6 mbar, sob fluxo. Uma investigação detalhada da camada nitretada das amostras de ferro foi feita através de desgaste mecânico em passos sucessivos e após cada desgaste, as novas camadas foram analisadas por espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) auxiliadas por outras técnicas, como difração de raios X, microdureza e microscopia ótica e eletrônica. As análises superficiais demonstraram que a camada nitretada é formada por uma mistura de nitretos γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N, que variam suas proporções com as condições de nitretação. Abaixo desta camada outros nitretos são formados como e ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. No aço H12, foi estudada a influência da nitretação por plasma em correntes contínua e pulsada. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao perfil de microdureza, perfil de concentração de nitrogênio, difração de raios X e espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) e de raios X de conversão (CXMS). A camada composta próxima à superfície, como vista por CEMS, consiste de uma mistura de γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) enquanto a camada próxima à zona de difusão, investigada por CXMS, consiste de uma mistura de fases γ-Fe4N, ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2 e γ-austenita. O crescimento da camada nitretada quando difundida utilizando corrente contínua segue uma lei parabólica, o que não ocorre com o processo com corrente alternada. Este efeito deve ser devido à taxa de \"sputerring\" do catodo e da difusão auxiliada por radiação, que são mais acentuadas no caso de corrente alternada, para tempos de nitretação t ‹ 2h. A situação é revertida para t › 3h. / This work investigates the formation and evolution of nitride layers on a 99.83% pure iron and a AISI H-12 steel substrates by using plasma nitriding processoThe layers were obtained by systematic variation of the nitriding conditions, such as temperature, time and plasma frequency. The employed atmosphere consisted of a gaseous mixture of H2-20% N2, at a constant pressure of 6.0 mbar in f1ux.A detailed investigation of the nitrided layer on iron samples was performed through surface mechanical wear in successive steps. After each step the layer was analysed by Conversion Electron Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), as well as by other techniques, as X-ray diffraction, microhardness and optical and electronic metallography. The surface analysis of iron samples showed that the nitrided layers are formed bya mixture of γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N nitrides, whose proportions have varied with the nitriding conditions. Below this layer, different nitrides are formed, ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. For H-12 steel substrates it was also studied the influence of direct and pulsed current on the layer. The samples were characterized related to the microhardness profile, nitrogen concentration profile, Xray diffraction and Conversion Electron and X-ray Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and (CXMS). The near-surface compound layer, as probed by CEMS, consisted of a mixture of γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) phases. The near-diffusion zone compound layer, as probed by CXMS presented a mixture of γ-Fe4N , e ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2e &#947 and- e &#947-austenite phases. For the plasma process, the growth of the nitride layers in direct current follows the parabolic law, what does not occur when process with pulsed current is used. This effect is probably due to cathode rate sputtering and radiation-enhanced diffusion, the latter being more accentuated in the case of pulsed current, for nitriding times t &#8249 2h. The situation is reversed for t &#8250 3h.

Modern manufacturing processes are under a never ending evolvement. Lowered manufacturing costs, higher part quality, shorter lead times and lower environmental impact are some important drivers for this development. Aluminum die casting is an effective and attractive process when producing components for e.g. the automotive sector. Die casting process development, and hot work tool steel development for the die casting dies has led to the state of the art of die casting today. However, with the disruptive emergence of Additive Manufacturing (AM) of hot work steel alloys, new interesting features such as improved conformal cooling channels inside die casting molds can be produced. The new way to manufacture die casting dies, need basic investigating of the AM produced hot work tool steel properties, and their applicability in this demanding hot work segment. Die casting dies face several detrimental wear mechanisms during use in production, three of which has been isolated and used for testing three AM produced steel alloys and one conventional premium hot work tool steel. The wear mechanisms simulated are; thermal fatigue, static soldering and agitated soldering. The aim is to study the AM produced steels applicability in the die casting process. The tested materials are; Premium AISI H13 grade Uddeholm Orvar Supreme, AM 1.2709, AM UAB1 and AM H13. Based on current investigations the conclusion that can be made is that with right chemistry, and right AM processing, conventional material Uddeholm Orvar Supreme still is better than AM H13. This also complies with the literature study results, showing that conventional material still is better than AM material in general. / Våra moderna tillverkningsprocesser är under ständig utveckling. Drivande motiv är minskade tillverkningskostnader, högre tillverkningskvalitet, kortade ledtider samt minskad miljöpåfrestning. Pressgjutning av aluminium är en effektiv och attraktiv tillverkningsprocess ofta använd inom till exempel fordonsindustrin. Utvecklingen av pressgjutningsteknologin har gått hand i hand med utvecklingen av det varmarbets-verktygsstål som används i gjutformarna (pressgjutningsverktyget). Den utvecklingen har lett till dagens processnivå och branschstandard. Men med den revolutionerande additiva tillverkningsteknologins (AM) intåg, och möjlighet att producera komponenter av varmarbetsstål, kommer nya intressanta möjligheter att integrera komplex geometri så som yt-parallella kylkanaler i verktyget utan att tillverkningskostnaden blir för hög etc. Det nya sättet att producera pressgjutningsverktyg ger upphov till behovet av grundläggande materialundersökningar av sådant AM-material, samt hur tillförlitligt det är i pressgjutningsverktyg med pressgjutningens krävande materialegenskapsprofil. Pressgjutningsverktyg utsätts för många förslitningsmekanismer och för höga laster, tre av dessa mekanismer har isolerats för kontrollerade tester av ett konventionellt material och tre AM materials responser. Förslitningsmekanismerna som efterliknats är; termisk utmattning, statisk soldering och agiterad soldering. Målet med undersökningarna är att studera AM producerade materials lämplighet i pressgjutningsprocessen. De material som testats är konventionella premium varmarbetsstålet Uddeholm Orvar Supreme av typ AISI H13, AM 1.2709, AM UAB1 och AM H13. Undersökningarnas slutsats är att med rätt kemisk sammansättning, och med rätt AM printing parametrar, är konventionellt material fortfarande mer applicerbart i pressgjutning än AM producerat. Den slutsatsen faller väl I samklang med resultaten från mekanisk provning som återspeglas i litteraturstudien, som visade visar att konventionellt material är generellt bättre än AM material.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a formação e evolução da camada de nitretos sobre substrato de ferro com pureza de 99,83% e do aço AISI H12, nitretados por plasma. As camadas foram obtidas com a variação sistemática das condições de nitretação, como temperatura, tempo e frequência do plasma. A atmosfera de trabalho empregada foi a de uma mistura gasosa de 20% N2 + 80% H2, mantida à pressão constante de 6 mbar, sob fluxo. Uma investigação detalhada da camada nitretada das amostras de ferro foi feita através de desgaste mecânico em passos sucessivos e após cada desgaste, as novas camadas foram analisadas por espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) auxiliadas por outras técnicas, como difração de raios X, microdureza e microscopia ótica e eletrônica. As análises superficiais demonstraram que a camada nitretada é formada por uma mistura de nitretos γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N, que variam suas proporções com as condições de nitretação. Abaixo desta camada outros nitretos são formados como e ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. No aço H12, foi estudada a influência da nitretação por plasma em correntes contínua e pulsada. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao perfil de microdureza, perfil de concentração de nitrogênio, difração de raios X e espectroscopia Môssbauer de elétrons de conversão (CEMS) e de raios X de conversão (CXMS). A camada composta próxima à superfície, como vista por CEMS, consiste de uma mistura de γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) enquanto a camada próxima à zona de difusão, investigada por CXMS, consiste de uma mistura de fases γ-Fe4N, ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2 e γ-austenita. O crescimento da camada nitretada quando difundida utilizando corrente contínua segue uma lei parabólica, o que não ocorre com o processo com corrente alternada. Este efeito deve ser devido à taxa de \"sputerring\" do catodo e da difusão auxiliada por radiação, que são mais acentuadas no caso de corrente alternada, para tempos de nitretação t ‹ 2h. A situação é revertida para t › 3h. / This work investigates the formation and evolution of nitride layers on a 99.83% pure iron and a AISI H-12 steel substrates by using plasma nitriding processoThe layers were obtained by systematic variation of the nitriding conditions, such as temperature, time and plasma frequency. The employed atmosphere consisted of a gaseous mixture of H2-20% N2, at a constant pressure of 6.0 mbar in f1ux.A detailed investigation of the nitrided layer on iron samples was performed through surface mechanical wear in successive steps. After each step the layer was analysed by Conversion Electron Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), as well as by other techniques, as X-ray diffraction, microhardness and optical and electronic metallography. The surface analysis of iron samples showed that the nitrided layers are formed bya mixture of γ-Fe4N, ε-Fe3N e-ε-Fe3,2N nitrides, whose proportions have varied with the nitriding conditions. Below this layer, different nitrides are formed, ε-FeXN (2≤X≤3,2) e α-Fe16N2. For H-12 steel substrates it was also studied the influence of direct and pulsed current on the layer. The samples were characterized related to the microhardness profile, nitrogen concentration profile, Xray diffraction and Conversion Electron and X-ray Mõssbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and (CXMS). The near-surface compound layer, as probed by CEMS, consisted of a mixture of γ-Fe4N e ε-FeX(N, C) phases. The near-diffusion zone compound layer, as probed by CXMS presented a mixture of γ-Fe4N , e ε-FeX(N, C) Fex(N, C), α-Fe16N2e &#947 and- e &#947-austenite phases. For the plasma process, the growth of the nitride layers in direct current follows the parabolic law, what does not occur when process with pulsed current is used. This effect is probably due to cathode rate sputtering and radiation-enhanced diffusion, the latter being more accentuated in the case of pulsed current, for nitriding times t &#8249 2h. The situation is reversed for t &#8250 3h.

No description available.

This project explores the feasibility of the solid-state welding method direct-drive friction welding to be used as a joining method for the nitrogen alloyed steel Uddeholm Vanax SuperClean, produced via processes based on powder metallurgy. Vanax SuperClean cannot be welded using fusion welding methods where the base material melts, due to nitrogen escaping the material, resulting in inferior quality welds. The cost of the material motivates the use of Vanax SuperClean for critical parts in applications, combined with a less costly material for the remaining parts, causing alternative joining methods to be examined. Vanax SuperClean is friction welded to itself and to Uddeholm steel types Stavax ESR and UHB 11. Samples are prepared for a number of examinations. Microstructures of the samples are examined using microscopy, microhardness testing is carried out per the Vickers principle, retained austenite is measured using X-ray diffraction and tensile testing of the welded samples is performed. Defect-free welds are produced in all examined samples, showing that the method is suitable for Vanax SuperClean and that no preheating or slow cooling of workpieces are necessary. The possibility of using friction stir welding as a joining method for Vanax SuperClean is discussed. / Detta projekt undersöker möjligheten att använda trycksvetsningsmetoden friktionssvetsning som sammanfogningsmetod för det kvävelegerade pulvermetallurgiskt framställda stålet Uddeholm Vanax SuperClean. Vanax SuperClean kan inte svetsas med smältsvetsmetoder där grundmaterialet smälter, på grund av kvävgasbildning som resulterar i undermåliga svetsfogar. Kostnaden för materialet motiverar användandet av Vanax SuperClean för kritiska delar i applikationer, kombinerat med ett mindre kostsamt material till övriga delar, vilket föranleder undersökning av alternativa sammanfogningsmetoder. Vanax SuperClean friktionssvetsas mot sig själv, såväl som mot Uddeholmsstålen Stavax ESR och UHB 11. Prov tas fram för ett antal undersökningar. Mikrostruktur undersöks med mikroskopi, mikrohårdhetsprovning utförs enligt Vickersprincipen, restaustenitnivåer mäts med röntgendiffraktion och dragprovning utförs. Lyckade svetsfogar fås i alla undersökta prover, vilket visar att svetsmetoden är lämplig för Vanax SuperClean och att varken förvärmning eller långsamt svalnande av arbetsstycken krävs. Möjligheten att använda friktionsomrörningssvetsning som sammanfogningsmetod för Vanax SuperClean diskuteras.

This work were requested by Uddeholms AB. Uddeholm is the worldś leading manufacturer of high performance tool steel for industrial tools. The company exists worldwide and is present in over 100 countries. One of the company’s main production processes is manufacturing powder steels with extremely high quality. In this work, one of these steels has been analyzed to evaluate the presence and distribution of non-metallic inclusions. Higher demands on quality and more global competition worldwide means that you always have to strive towards perfection in the manufacturing processes. Non-metallic inclusions have severe effects on the mechanical properties of steels. That's why it's of utmost importance to investigate their presence in the tool steel and especially their size. The reason for this is because it's the largest inclusions that's the most dangerous for the material. To obtain a statistically number of certainty of the largest of inclusions, very vast areas of steel have to be examined. Therefore a theoretical method of extrapolation is often used instead to approximate the distribution of the largest inclusions. The precision of this method is still very uncertain. Different methods of this kind of analysis do exist. The method applied in this work of degree is extreme values analysis by statistics of extreme values (SEV). To ensure the pre-conditions of the extreme values analysis, a large quantity of powder steel was analyzed. This was done by light-optic microscopy (LOM) and exclusively performed by Uddeholms AB at their R&D-facility (Research and development-facility) in Hagfors. At Karlstad Universityś test-facility specimens were subjected to ultrasonic fatigue testing at 20 kHz. The specimens derived from the same material as the ones examined in LOM. The result from the ultrasonic fatigue testing were that the largest inclusions in the material were found. This was done by applying very high cycle fatigue (VHCF). To calculate the maximum theoretical inclusion size, SEV was used. The extreme values analysis was performed on gathered data from both LOM and VHCF. All fracture surfaces from the ultrasonic fatigue testing were then examined in scanning electron microscope (SEM) at Karlstad University. In SEM, the largest inclusion in every fractured surface was identified and measured. The maximum real inclusion size from the fractured surfaces was then compared to the maximum theoretically calculated inclusion size from the extreme values analysis. As it turned out the real inclusion size proved to be slightly larger than the theoretical. The difference between them was found to be 3,25 µm. Conclusions drawn were that Uddeholms powder steel exhibits very high purity and that extreme values analysis as an analytical method is recommended. However, the analysis should be repeated to underline the chosen solution methodology.