In high-performance cold work applications, tool failure depends on the predominating loading conditions. Typical failure mechanisms are a combination of abrasive wear, adhesive wear, plastic deformation, cracking and edge crumbling. In this paper we demonstrate how the microstructure of tool steels can be positively influenced by modifying the alloying system and the production route to meet the demands of the different loading situations which occur during operation. The investigation was focused on ductility, fatigue strength and wear resistance. Theoretical considerations were confirmed by practical tests.

is an extremely high alloyed PM material containing about 20 to 35 wt.% titanium based carbides. Such materials are designed to achieve a high wear resistance, but the high volume fraction of hard phases causes a comparable low ductility in case of tensile loading. In the present study the mechanical properties of different Ferro-Titanit grades (variations in chemical composition and in heat treatment) were investigated by means of tensile tests. The mechanical properties and the fracture behaviour will be related to the chemical composition, the heat treatment and the microstructure.