The microstructure and strengthening-toughening mechanism of a modified 4Cr5Mo2V hot-working die steel with nitrogen (0.08% N) were investigated using hardness and toughness measurements, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction experiments, transmission electron microscopy, and dilatometry. The results showed that the nitrogen addition could increase the hardness and temperability of 4Cr5Mo2V steel without toughness loss with a suitable heat treatment procedure. The fair match of high strength and toughness of the nitrogen-alloyed 4Cr5Mo2V steel is associated with the refinement of the prior austenite grain, the solution hardening of nitrogen atoms, and the increase of retained austenite. Before quenching, nitrogen tends to precipitate in the form of a large amount of undissolved finer V(C, N), imposing a stronger effect on restricting the growth of prior austenitic grains and increasing the grain refining efficiency of VC by 6.8 times according to an estimate. During the quenching process, the nitrogen decreases the M_S of the martensitic transformation, increasing retained austenite, which is a benefit for toughness. During the tempering process, some of the N atoms in M(C, N) were dissolved in the matrix, causing crystal lattice distortions, thus boosting the solution reinforcing effect. Meanwhile, the solid-dissolved nitrogen inhibits the diffusion of carbon, decreasing the growth rate of the carbides and increasing tempering resistance.

The effect of N content on the microstructure and wear resistance of 4Cr13 corrosion-resistant plastic mold steel were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and tribometer. The results showed that the influence mechanism of nitrogen on the hardness of the test steels responded to the changes in the quenching temperature. When the quenching temperature was below 1050 °C, the solid solution strengthening of N played a dominant role as a wear mechanism, and as the N content increased, the hardness of the steel increased. When the quenching temperature was higher than 1050 °C, N increased the residual austenite content, resulting in a decrease in hardness. The addition of N reduced the optimal quenching temperature of the test steels. The N addition promoted the transformation of large-sized M₂₃C₆ to M₂₃C₆ and fine Cr₂N, resulting in an increase in the hardness of the test steels. The influence on the wear resistance of the experimental steels differed according to the varied N contents. The addition of 0.1% N delayed the precipitation of large- sized particles in the second phase, increased the hardness of the steel, and reduced the degree of wear. However, an excessive addition of N (0.18%) led to the excessive precipitation of the second-phase particles, and the second-phase particles then gradually flaked during the wear process and continued to participate in the wear process as third-body abrasives, reducing wear resistance.