Shot peening is an extensively used process in the production of mechanical components to improve their fatigue strength at ambient temperature. At higher working temperatures of some mechanical components, e.g. from 300 to 600°C, the influence and behaviour of the compressive residual stresses are more uncertain, since they tend to relieve at higher temperatures. The response to shot peening induced residual stresses of low alloyed and hot work tool steels was evaluated with respect to stress relief heat treatments and isothermal high temperature fatigue testing. Not only the residual stresses, but also the material substructure and its dislocation characteristics are of importance. Dislocation structures were determined using X-ray diffraction to explain the preference of the different steel grades. Also, results obtained from bending fatigue testing at ambient temperature of tool components after shot peening and stress relief heat treatments demonstrated the different ability of retaining the fatigue strength.

Indexable insert tools for machining operations are in service exposed to high temperatures and cyclic mechanical loads. Secondary hardening steels such as hot-work steels are commonly used for tools subjected to thermal exposure. However, these steels, highly alloyed with strong carbide forming elements as Cr, V and Mo, are generally difficult to machine and machining represents a large fraction of the production cost of a tool. Thus, the present study concerns the development of a new steel with improved machinability and meeting the requirements for high-temperature properties.

Softening resistance of the THG2000 and QRO90 tool steels, commonly used in hot-work applications, and a newly developed tool steel MCG2006 with lower alloying content of carbide forming elements, was investigated by tempering and isothermal fatigue testing. Mechanisms of high-temperature softening of the tested tool steels were discussed with respect to their microstructure and high-temperature mechanical properties. Carbide morphology and precipitation as well as dislocation structure were determined using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray line broadening analysis.

No difference in softening behaviour was found among the QRO90 and MCG2006 regarding hot hardness measurements. The THG2000 indicated some stabilization of the hardness between 450 and 550 °C and a considerable hardness decrease at higher temperatures.

The short-time cyclic softening in isothermal fatigue was controlled by dislocation rearrangement and annihilation. The alloying composition of the steels presently tested had no influence on the dislocation density decrease.

The long-time softening was affected by the material's temper resistance and strongly depended on the carbide morphology and their over-ageing resistance. The QRO90 with greater molybdenum and lower chromium contents than in the THG2000 show the best resistance to softening among the tested grades at all temperatures. The MCG2006, leaner alloyed with the carbide forming elements and alloyed with 4 wt% nickel, has better temper resistance than THG2000 at higher temperatures and longer tempering times.

In the present study, the influence of nickel content on the machinability of a prehardened hot-work tool steel was investigated. The machinability with varying nickel content from 1 to 5 wt% was characterized in end milling and drilling by evaluating tool life, cutting forces, and tool/chip interface temperature.

Nickel content showed to have a positive effect on the machinability of the hot-work tool steel; with increasing nickel content in the steel, the longer tool life was reached in end milling and drilling operations. Machining the higher nickel containing steels generated lower cutting forces and tool/workpiece interface temperature. In addition, less adhesive wear and built-up edge formation were observed on the tools.

The difference in the steel machinability was discussed in terms of their microstructure and mechanical properties. Increasing nickel content tends to decrease the carbon in the martensite and to retain a fine distribution of small primary carbides. It resulted in a reduction in yield strength with increasing nickel content related to the cutting force reduction and machinability improvement.