Influence of the working technology on the development of alloys H13-w(Cu) 87.5 %Artiček, Uroš (Avtor) Bojinović, Marko (Avtor) Brunčko, Mihael (Avtor) Anžel, Ivan (Avtor) , Inštitut za kovinske materiale in tehnologije (Lastnik avtorskih pravic) castinglaser engineered net shaping technologymicrostructuremechanical propertiesMost dies in the casting industry for injection moulding are machined from the premium-grade H13 tool steel. They provide excellent performance in terms of mechanical properties and service life; however, these dies are characterised by a relatively low thermal conductivity. The tool-and-die industry is interested in depositing a material of a high thermal conductivity onto steel in order to improve the thermal management and productivity. We have explored the possibility of using copper with a new technology. In this study, the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties are discussed using the Laser Engineered Net ShapingTM (LENSTM) technology. For a better understanding of the solidification, the microstructure of a LENS sample was compared with the microstructure of a reference alloy produced with the ingot-casting technology having the same chemical composition of H13-w(Cu) 87.5 %. We carried out light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, an EDS microchemical analysis, the tensile test and microhardness testing. The results show a successful fabrication of LENS samples; their microstructure is more homogeneous compared to the castings; they show better mechanical properties and represent a good potential for further development and use.20142017-03-16 13:57:31Znanstveno delo65192sl