Processing of an AISI D2 tool steel by high-energy milling

Full text: Chips of machining of AISI D2 steel were processed in Spex high-energy mill. The powder obtained was analyzed by x-ray diffraction, and then compressed in the form of discs of 8mm in diameter. The samples were treated at 1200 deg C for 1 hour under vacuum atmosphere for sintering. Then specimens were subjected to annealing, quenching and tempering at 400°C and 525 deg C. Along with each disc, a sample of as-received steel was subjected to the same heat treatment to evaluate the final microstructures. After metallographic preparation, samples were etched with Berah's reagent, characterized by optical microscopy, Vickers hardness, quantitative metallography and scanning electron microscopy with micro analysis and mapping by EDS. Specimens from high energy milling had reduction in prior austenitic grain size and more refined carbides and better distributed in the microstructure of steel. (author)