Boron-alloyed Fe–Cr–C–B tool steels — Thermodynamic calculations and experimental validation

This study focuses on the development of boron-alloyed tool steels. The influence of Cr additions from 0 to 10mass% on microstructural changes were investigated for a constant metalloid content (C+B=2.4mass%). In the first step, thermodynamic calculations were performed to map the quaternary Fe–Cr–C–B system. In the second step, thermodynamic calculations were validated with laboratory melts that were investigated with respect to the microstructure and phase composition. The results of thermodynamic calculations correspond to real material behavior of Fe–Cr–C–B alloys. Furthermore, the influence of chromium on hard phase formation was investigated by means of phase analysis methods, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Nanoindentation was used to determine hard phase properties (hardness, Young's modulus). It was shown that chromium promotes the formation of M2B-type borides. An increase in the Cr content within the M2B phase led to a transformation from the tetragonal structure into an orthorhombic structure. This transformation is accompanied by an increase in hardness and in the Young's modulus. In contrast, Cr also promotes the formation of Cr-rich carboborides of type M23(C,B)6. However, an increased Cr content within the M23(C,B)6 phase is not associated with an increase in hardness or elastic modulus. [Display omitted] •Influence of Cr-addition on Fe0.75C2B alloy with Mn and Si addition is analyzed.•Cr promotes the formation of M2B.•(Fe,Cr)2B→(Cr,Fe)2B phase transition occurs at higher Cr addition.•Mechanical properties of M2B phase are improved with increasing Cr content.•(Cr,Fe)2B phase is of high technological interest for future alloy development.