The challenge of PM tool steels for the innovation

Purpose: The economical impacts and complexity of tool steels justify the lot of efforts for their development, processing and application. In particular the main goal is the attainment of isotropic microstructures characterised by homogeneous distribution of fine carbide particles and segregation free. The paper offers a review of the Powder Metallurgy tool steels currently manufactured, their properties are discussed with particular regard to their main application and attained performances. Design/methodology/approach: Powder Metallurgy is the way to make the goal, its alloying flexibility allows the production of new tool steels that cannot be made by conventional processes, because of segregation and related hot workability problems. Findings: In practice, through the Powder Metallurgy route it is possible to achieve the highest levels of properties, specifically related to toughness, mechanical behaviour, wear and corrosion resistances of the