Heat treatment of corrosion resistant tool steels for plastic moulding

This article gives an overview of recent trends in the heat treatment of corrosion resistant tool steels for plastics processing with special regard to newly developed steel grades and their properties. The article focuses on the different steps of the heat treatment process and their impact on the microstructure and especially on the corresponding material properties such as hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Finally, recommendations for optimized heat treatment conditions are made.