Wear Properties and Characterization of T15 High‐Speed Steel Prepared by Hot Isostatic Pressing, Forging, and Vacuum Heat Treatment

Effect of heat treatment (HT) on T15 high‐speed steel (HSS) prepared by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and forging processes using electrode induction melting gas atomization powder is successfully studied; their microstructure, friction, and wear properties are in comparison. The lowest friction coefficient and wear rate are achieved in the forging plus HT T15 HSS. Simultaneously, the minimum wear profile depth and dimension are also obtained in the forging plus HT one. The prior particle boundaries produced by HIP are overtly eliminated, and the grains are refined and evenly distributed after forging and HT processes. The refined microstructure after forging plus HT promotes improvement of friction and wear performance. Wear mechanisms for samples prepared by different processes are discussed. The microstructure is characterized by high‐angle angular dark field‐scanning transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and white light interferometer. This work proves that HSS products with high wear properties can be prepared by appropriate HIP + forging + HT processes.