Enhancement of Erosion Resistance on AISI H13 Tool Steel by Oxynitriding Treatment

Abstract

In order to effectively improve erosion resistance and evaluate the effects of an oxy layer on AISI H13 tool steel after the oxynitriding process, this study used three different nitriding surface treatments, namely oxynitriding process 1 (using air), oxynitriding process 2 (using steam) and normal gas nitride. To evaluate the effects of microstructure and the erosion resistance of AISI H13 tool steel after different nitride processes, evaluated micro hardness, erosion tests and SEM microstructure inspections were conducted. Experimental results showed that the oxide layer can protect and improve the aluminum erosion for AISI H13 tool steel. Erosion tests of 2 and 4 h for oxynitriding process 1 could produce a thicker and complex oxide layer, which has higher hardness (HV 1021.9) and optimal weight loss (0.16%). This procedure is proven to effectively reduce the ratio of Al–Fe–Si compounds during the A380 alloy erosion test.