Semi-solid casting of high speed steel ingots using inclined slope pre-crystallization method

Semi-solid casting of M2 high speed steel ingots was investigated by inclined slope pre-crystallization method. Effects of casting temperature and slope length on the microstructure of M2 HSS ingots were investigated. M2 cast ingots of non-dendritic primary austenite and fine eutectic ledeburite network carbide structure were obtained, with the casting temperature, slope length and angle of 1480 °C, 500 mm and 60° respectively. Meanwhile, the microstructure of cast samples was quantitatively assessed by Image tool software. Results show that optimum mean equivalent diameter of primary austenite crystal grain is 50.8 μm, shape factor is 0.83, and mean thickness of network carbide is 5.21 μm.