Effect of Spark Plasma Sintering on the Microstructure Evolution and Properties of M3:2 High-Speed Steel

Effects of sintering temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical performance of SPS M3:2 high speed steel prepared by spark plasma sintering was studied. High speed steel sintering curve of continuous heating from ambient temperature to 1200°C was estimated to analyze the sintering processes and sintering temperature range. The sintering temperature within this range was divided into groups to investigate hardness, relative density and microstructure of M3:2 high-speed steel. Strip and quadrate carbides were observed inside the equiaxed grains. SPS sintering temperature at 900°C can lead to nearly full densification with grain size smaller than 20μm. The hardness and bending strength are higher than that of the conventionally powder metallurgy fabricated ones sintered at 1270°C. However, fracture toughness of the high speed steel is lower than that of the conventional powder metallurgy steels. This can be attributed to the shape and distribution of M6C carbides which reduce the impact toughness of high speed steels.