Short cycle hardening and tempering behaviour of low alloy tool steel 60WCrV7

The effect of short heat treatment cycles, typical of induction or laser hardening, on the low alloy steel 60WCrV7, was simulated using a quench dilatometer. The heat treated material was examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy, microhardness testing, X-ray diffraction and microimpact testing. The effects of variation in austenitising time and temperature as well as tempering parameters on the hardness and toughness obtained are reported, and the metallurgical reasons for this behaviour are discussed. The results provide conclusions for optimum rapid cycle heat treatments and reveal significant potential for strongly reduced heat treatment cycles, which may have applications in areas besides surface hardening.