Development of micro rotary swaging tools of graded tool steel via co-spray forming

Abstract

In order to meet the requirements of micro rotary swaging, the local properties of the tools should be adjusted properly with respect to abrasive and adhesive wear, compressive strength, and toughness. These properties can be optimally combined by using different materials in specific regions of the tools, with a gradual transition in between to reduce critical stresses at the interface during heat treatment and in the rotary swaging process. In this study, a newly developed co-spray forming process was used to produce graded tool materials in the form of a flat product. The graded deposits were subsequently hot rolled and heat treated to achieve an optimal microstructure and advanced properties. Micro plunge rotary swaging tools with fine geometrical structures were machined from the hot rolled materials. The new forming tools were successfully applied in the micro plunge rotary swaging of wires of stainless steel.