Kennametal Inc.
Tool steel articles from additive manufacturing

Abstract:

In one aspect, methods of foil ling tooling articles from tool steel powder compositions via additive manufacturing techniques are described herein. A method of forming a tooling article comprises consolidating powder alloy into the tooling article via an additive manufacturing technique and heat treating the tooling article to provide the tooling article hardness of 35 to 65 HRC. The tooling article can be formed of an alloy composition comprising 0.2-2 weight percent carbon, 0-1 weight percent manganese, 0-1.5 weight percent silicon, 0-0.3 weight percent nickel, 0-15 weight percent cobalt, at least two of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium in a combined amount of 5-25 weight percent and the balance iron. As described herein, the method can further comprise hot isostatic pressing the tooling article prior to the heating treatment.