Concerning tooling applications, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) enables new features such as internal cooling channels that can be implemented in cutting or shaping tools. Thus, higher cutting speeds are feasible thanks to the more efficient cooling that could not be obtained by channels fabricated with conventional methods. However, the alloys exploited for the cutting tools production usually contain high levels of carbon, which makes their LPBF processability challenging due to their high crack-susceptibility. In this work, an approach based on the use of basic physical/empirical indicators has been employed to map the processability of six novel high-alloyed tool steel grades. A large experimental campaign with variable energy densities, single and double passes, as well as different focal points was designed. The results exhibit highly dense but cracked parts. In particular, the LPBF processability deteriorates with increasing carbon content, suggesting that mostly chemistry, rather than process parameters, plays a key role in the determination of the LPBF feasibility. The cooling rate, cooling time between 800 °C and 500 °C, equivalent carbon content, solidification interval, martensite start temperature and volumetric energy density were employed as indicators to provide a rapid classification of processability. The work demonstrates that the combined use of the indicators can better explain the cracking behaviour of carbon-containing tool steels. At a screening level, this approach based on complementar use of physical/empirical tools, may significantly shorten the experimental effort during the design of new compositions, especially when dealing with crack susceptible alloys like carbon-containing tool steels.

在工具应用方面，激光粉末床融合 (LPBF) 实现了新功能，例如可在切割或成型工具中实施的内部冷却通道。因此，由于使用传统方法制造的通道无法获得更有效的冷却，因此更高的切割速度是可行的。然而，用于切削刀具生产的合金通常含有高含量的碳，这使得它们的 LPBF 加工性由于其高裂纹敏感性而具有挑战性。在这项工作中，采用基于使用基本物理/经验指标的方法来绘制六种新型高合金工具钢的加工性能。设计了具有可变能量密度、单程和双程以及不同焦点的大型实验活动。结果显示高度致密但有裂纹的部分。特别是，LPBF 的可加工性随着碳含量的增加而恶化，这表明在确定 LPBF 的可行性时，主要是化学性质，而不是工艺参数。冷却速度、800°C 和 500°C 之间的冷却时间、当量碳含量、凝固间隔、马氏体起始温度和体积能量密度被用作指标，以提供可加工性的快速分类。工作表明，指标的结合使用可以更好地解释含碳工具钢的开裂行为。在筛选层面，这种基于物理/经验工具互补使用的方法可能会显着缩短新组合物设计过程中的实验工作，