Direct metal deposition (DMD) of H13 tool steel on copper alloy substrate: Evaluation of mechanical properties

H13 tool steel powder was clad on copper alloy substrate both directly and using 41C stainless steel (high Ni steel) powder as a buffer layer by direct metal deposition (DMD). Cu–steel bimetallic die casting and injection molding tools are of high interest for reduction of cycle time by efficient heat extraction due to high thermal conductivity of copper. The mechanical properties of these bimetallic structures were investigated in terms of bond strength, impact energy and fracture toughness. The bond interfaces of these claddings showed porous and crack free transition regions. The bond strength was higher in the directly clad H13 tool steel compared to the H13 tool steel clad with 41C stainless steel as buffer layer. The fracture morphology in tensile test specimens showed ductile dimple fracture. Presence of necking just below the interface depicted the softening of substrate in heat affected zone (HAZ) during cladding. The Charpy impact energy is little higher in the 41C stainless steel buffered specimens compared to the directly clad H13 tool steel specimens but the fracture toughness results showed reduction of fracture toughness in the 41C stainless steel buffered specimens due to the low strength in the tensile test. However the fracture toughness value was in the ductile region for both deposits.