HEAT TREATMENT DATA:

This is a fine grained, superior quality, electric furnace, low temperature, air hardening tool steel. It is a balanced combination of carbon, manganese, chromium and molybdenum resulting in an improved type of air hardening die steel. It retains its air hardening characteristics even though it is in the “free-machining” class. Also is capable of being hardened from a low temperature such as formerly restricted to many of the oil hardening grades. Except for extremely large sections full hardness throughout may be expected. This is furnished ground to a smooth finish and is 100% free of decarburization.

TYPICAL ANALYSIS:

Carbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70%
Manganese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00
Silicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Chromium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00
Molybdenum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.35

TOLERANCES:

Under 1/4” is ground to plus .001” minus .001” on the thickness and plus .005” minus .000” on the width. Sizes 1/4” thick and larger are ground plus .010” to .015” on the thickness and plus .010” to .015” on the width. Lengths are all furnished on the plus side.

RECOMMENDED USES:

For blanking dies, forming dies, coining dies, trimming dies, punches, shear blades, spindles, mandrils, stripper plates, and other similar applications.

HARDENING:

It is not necessary to preheat this steel for treatment. If preheating is employed, it should be carried out in the range of 1200-1250 degree Fahrenheit. Tools, either at room temperature or preheated, should be placed in a high furnace which is operating with a slightly oxidizing atmosphere at 1525-1575 degree Fahrenheit depending upon the thickness of the piece being treated.Parts should be soaked at heat for approximately twenty minutes plus an additional five minutes per inch of minimum dimension of the part. When parts have been removed from the furnace, they should be allowed to cool in free circulating air.

TEMPERING:

Tempering immediately. The following is a table of hardness for a one hour draw.

GRINDING:

Hardened tool steels should always be tempered before grinding. Wet grinding is always preferable. On a hardened and tempered steel a wheel with a reasonably soft grain and an open structure is recommended. A coarse dressing for heavy stock removal and a medium to medium fine dressing for finishing is suggested.

STRESS RELIEVING (OPTIONAL):

Machining strains can be eliminated by stress relieving at 1200-1250 degree F. for half an hour. This practice is to safeguard against movement during later hardening.

ANNEALING:

This is furnished fully annealed. Should re-annealing be necessary, a controlled atmosphere furnace should be used.If another type furnace is used, pieces should be placed in a suitable container with proper packing. Heat the packs uniformly to 1350-1375 degree F. followed by a slow cooling in the furnace at a maximum rate of 20 degrees per hour; resulting Brinell hardness 241 maximum.

SIZE RANGE AVAILABLE FOR PROMPT SHIPMENT: