Development of a cost-optimized high-speed steel

Independence from price-volatile alloying elements from politically unstable regions can be a decisive competitive factor for small and medium-sized companies. As a popular element for solid solution strengthening in iron-based alloys, cobalt in particular is therefore constantly coming under scrutiny. This circumstance provides the basis for the development of a new high-speed steel (HSS) for rolling mill rolls. The demands on the material are high: both the hardness and the wear properties must meet the requirements and - despite the lack of cobalt - a sufficiently high matrix strength must be achieved.

The approach chosen here was targeted alloy development using statistical test planning. The alloying elements tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium are varied in a partial factorial, two-stage model based on a proven reference alloy from the project partner that contains cobalt. The alloys combined in this way are cast and characterized in detail mechanically and microstructurally. Mathematical models are obtained from the empirical data, which lead to a new, optimized alloy following a regression analysis and taking into account the requirements placed on the final material.

The partner company will cast the new alloy under real conditions, harden it and test it in use. If these tests are successful, the jointly developed material will be incorporated into the plant portfolio and the project partner will be able to maintain, if not expand, its position on the market against strong competition.

Duration: 01.04.2020 - 30.09.2021

Project partner: Roller foundry & chilled casting plant Quedlinburg GmbH

Funding: ZIM

Responsible: Stephanie Duwe