Enhanced strength−ductility−toughness combination of H13 steels via magnetically controlled electroslag remelting

Achieving high strength−ductility−toughness combination in metallic materials remains a formidable challenge. Here, a combination of magnetically controlled electroslag remelting and thermomechanical treatment was innovatively applied in a technologically important H13 steel, endowing three key benefits: smaller average grain size, finer and more dispersed carbides, as well as more refined martensite laths. Consequently, this synergistic microstructure design eliminates severe stress-concentration areas and deters premature failure commonly seen in H13 steels, thereby leading to an enhanced strength−ductility−toughness combination. A combined strategy of magnetically controlled electroslag remelting and thermomechanical processing designs the bioinspired spiderweb-like grain boundary microstructure in H13 steels, resulting in an enhanced strength−ductility−toughness combination.