THE INFLUENCE OF ALLOYING ON THE MICROSTR UCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF HIGH-SPEED STEELS PRODUCED ON THE BASE OF RAPIDLY SOLIDIFICATED POWDERS

The influence of niobium and titanium, respectively on the microstruct ure and properties of unconventionally alloyed high speed steels of th e CSN 19830 type produced via powder metallurgy is described. Starting powder high speed steels were produced by atomization in rapid solidi fication conditions and then consolidated using the method of hot powd er extrusion. From experiments it follows that the addition of the use d alloying elements influences the rapid solidification rate and modif ies the crystallization mechanism of powders. Materials produced on th e base of this modified powder high speed steels showed markedly bette r cutting life when comparing with adequate high speed steel produced via ingot metallurgy. Cutting life of the best material was as high as the cutting life of polycrystalline diamond.