Microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of high speed steel rolls for hot rolling mills

The performance of work rolls for hot-strip mills is basically evaluated by the extent of their life and by the surface quality of the rolled products, both related to properties like strength, toughness and wear resistance. Those properties, otherwise, are determined by the microstructural characteristics of the HSS for rolls, such as type, morphology, size, volume fraction and distribution of the eutectic carbides. The overall features of the solidification and microstructure of the HSS for rolls are analyzed. The results of mechanical, abrasion wear and oxidation testing obtained with test pieces taken from three different centrifugally cast rolls are presented and discussed.