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

High-speed steels (HSS) rolls are used in front finishing stands of hot strip mills. 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 result, nature, morphology and amount of these carbides are factors of important concern. Identification and characterisation of HSS carbides were realised with optical microscopy combined with electron microscopy.