Di Yingnan,Fu Bo,Liu Yapeng,et al.Microstructure and Properties of Die Steel GY-DCK20 for Integrated Die Casting of New Energy Vehicles[J].Special Steel,2026,47(05):25-32.
Di Yingnan,Fu Bo,Liu Yapeng,et al.Microstructure and Properties of Die Steel GY-DCK20 for Integrated Die Casting of New Energy Vehicles[J].Special Steel,2026,47(05):25-32.DOI:10.20057/j.1003-8620.N260095.
Microstructure and Properties of Die Steel GY-DCK20 for Integrated Die Casting of New Energy Vehicles
In the context of integrated die-casting forming technology for new energy vehicles, a new type of extra-large, highly uniform, high-toughness, and high- isotropy die-casting mold steel GY-DCK20 was developed and produced. The microstructural uniformity of samples taken from different locations and their room-temperature mechanical properties were investigated by characterization methods such as metallographic analysis, SEM analysis, and ASPEX inclusion analysis. The results indicate that the high-cleanliness smelting process (EAF +AOD) → RH → Continuous Casting → PESR effectively controls the content of harmful and gaseous elements. Fine inclusions measuring 2-5 μm account for over 73.4% of the total, with oxides being the primary type. No significant banding segregation was observed in samples taken from different locations; the spheroidized microstructure was well-developed, and carbides were fine and uniformly distributed. The heat-treated hardness after quenching at 1 030 ℃ was approximately 1HRC higher than that at 1 010 ℃, and the steel exhibited better impact performance. During the tempering stage, the secondary hardening peak occurred near 540 °C, primarily due to the precipitation of fine, granular alloy carbides; at 650 ℃, martensite began to undergo recovery and recrystallization, forming equiaxed ferrite grains; at 700 ℃, the lath structure of the martensite disappeared, carbides aggregated along the grain boundaries, and recrystallized grains coarsened significantly. At a service hardness of 44-46HRC, the test steel exhibits a transverse and longitudinal V-notch impact absorbed energy of over 35 J at various locations, with an isotropy ratio of up to 0.97 in the core, demonstrating excellent comprehensive mechanical properties.
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