Use of Microscopy for identification of complex MC, M2C, M6C, M7C3 and M23C6 carbides in high speed-steels

High-speed steels (HSSJ rofis are useci in front finishing stands of hot strip mils. Good wear resistance and hardness at high temperature are defining features of HSS. Many types of carbides are present in these alloys, each having different effect upon the final properties of HSS. As a resuit, nature, morphology and amount of these carbides are factors of important concern. Identification and characterisation of HSS carbides are realised with optical microscopy comhined with electron microscopy