THIN STRIP CASTING OF HIGH-SPEED STEELS

The thin strip casting of high speed steels W3Mo2Cr4VSi and W6Mo5Cr4V2 has been investigated. The as-cast strips are of 2.5-4 mm thickness, reduced by hot rolling to 1.8-2 mm thickness. The steel sheets are use d to make power hacksaw blades. The experimental results show that the metallurgical quality of the as-cast strips is now at an acceptable l evel, and the as-cast carbides in the strips are very fine although th e eutectic carbide network still exists. However, most of the eutectic carbide network in the strips can be broken up by post-treatment. Cut ting test reveals that the performance of these hacksaw blades is sati sfactory, compared with that of hacksaw blades made of conventionally produced steel sheets.