Join the AWS G2F Subcommittee on Tool Steel Alloys

There are many reasons you should apply to join the new G2F Subcommittee on Tool Steel Alloys to develop AWS/NADCA G2.6M/G2.6, Guide for the Welding and DED Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Tool Steels Exposed to High Temperatures. 

“Together, AWS and NADCA [North American Die Casting Association] have the potential to significantly improve the affordability and performance of dies and tools used in the automotive, consumer products, and other industries that produce parts using high-temperature processes (casting, forming, forging, etc.),” said Dennis Harwig, research associate professor of The Ohio State University Welding Engineering Laboratory and chair of the AWS G2 Committee on Joining Metals and Alloys. “With the growth in additive manufacturing and advanced welding methods, American supply chain competitiveness can significantly be improved by preparing a best-practice standard to transition the know-how needed to process these steels, which have very complex alloy, welding, DED [directed energy deposition] automation, and thermal management requirements to ensure performance.”  

Robotic DED path planning for hardfacing die sections. (Credit: Kovacich, J. L. 2020. Anviloy wire – H13 cladding development. Master’s thesis, The Ohio State University.) 

The subcommittee is looking for four to six members. Professionals and students are welcome. Harwig detailed five more reasons interested individuals should apply.  

1. The welding and repair of tool steels exposed to high temperatures have historically been considered within the artisan field due to the complex metallurgy and thermal processing requirements of these alloys. There is a lack of best-practice standard data for the welding and repair of tools and dies used in die casting, hot forming, forging, and other high-temperature processes. There is also a need for best-practice standard data to support DED additive manufacturing (AM) of tools and dies as the availability of American supply chains for large format dies and tools has diminished. DED uses an automated or robotic arc, laser and electron beam fusion welding processes, and computer-aided manufacturing software to digitally build large format parts. These features make high-mix, low-volume applications affordable. 

2. The subcommittee seeks to prepare best-practice data that informs users about materials used for dies and tools exposed to high temperatures; fusion welding, DED, and repair process characteristics and guidelines; typical properties of commercial-process consumable deposits; thermal management to avoid hydrogen cracking; postweld heat treatments for typical fitness for service property applications; case studies of common welding, DED, and repair applications; and more.

3. The best-practice standard will be prepared in collaboration with NADCA, Die Materials Committee, which plays an essential role in driving research and developing technology to support original equipment manufacturers, steel suppliers, and die manufacturing and repair companies that are core to the automotive and consumer products industries. Die casting is used to manufacture tens of thousands of parts per machine and millions of parts annually. As an example, advanced welding and DED offer tremendous opportunities to improve die-casting die life by improving die thermal management, thermal fatigue cracking resistance, and molten material soldering resistance.

4. Volunteers are sought who have expertise in and/or support the welding, repair, and DED of tool steels exposed to high temperatures. Volunteers will have an opportunity to network with leaders in the automotive and consumers product die casting and other related industries, tool steel suppliers, welding and consumable suppliers, and DED AM technology suppliers. Volunteers are also sought from the hot forming and forging industries who have expertise on materials, welding, repair, and DED applications.

5. Finally, this subcommittee will work closely with the AWS D20 Committee on Additive Manufacturing and the A5 Committee on Filler Metals and Allied Materials to help coordinate standards that serve the rapid growth in the welding, repair, and DED of tool steels exposed to high temperatures.

To apply for membership, visit (aws.org/committeeapp). You may also direct questions to AWS Staff Secretary Stephen Borrero at sborrero@aws.org or (800) 443-9353, ext. 334. For more information, go to (aws.org/g2committee).