Performance analysis of laser-treated hot forging dies with WC-Co-Cr

The service life of hot forging dies was evaluated after being subjected in a double-layer surface treatment. The dies were laser treated, using WC-Co-Cr powder, and then surface nitrided. Previously, the integrity of the layers was proven metallographically. Information about the properties of the surface was measured in order to be used later for the wear calculation. The performance of the treated die compared with the normal one was first assessed by FEM wear simulation. The areas with increased wear were determined, and with the aid of an analytical model, the total wear was predicted after predetermined number of forging cycles. Later, forging dies were manufactured, surface treated, and utilized in real production environment. The results suggested an improvement of 41% and 94% for the different forging trials which also is in good agreement with the simulation results.