PM Tool Steel

A-11 PM

A-11 PM Tool Steel Data Sheet

A-11 PM is designed with a air hardening base analysis with added high carbon and vanadium for exceptionally good wear resistance, toughness and strength for cold tooling applications. The exceptional wear resistance and good toughness of A-11 PM make it an excellent candidate to replace carbide and other highly wear resistant materials in cold work tooling applications, particularly where cost effectiveness can be demonstrated.

Chemical Composition

Carbon	2.45%
Manganese	0.50%
Chromium	5.25%
Molybdenum	1.30%
Vanadium	9.75%
Silicon	0.90%
Sulfur	0.07%

Typical Applications

Blanking Dies	Cold Extrusion Dies
Forming Dies	Trim Dies
Nozzles and Screw Tips	Shear Blades
Plastic Injection Molding	Wear Inserts
Powder Compaction Dies and Pins

PM Tool Steel Comparison Chart

Thermal Treatments

Preheat : 1500/1550F (820/845C), equalize, Second preheating stage at 1800/1850F (1010/1040C)recommended for vacuum or atmosphere hardening. equalize.

Austenize : 1850/2150F (1010/1175C), 30/45 minutes at temperature. Standard recommendation to achieve RC 60-62 after tempering is to use 2050F (1120C)

Quench : Salt, oil or atmosphere quench to 1000-1100F(540-595C), equalize, then air cool to below 125F(50C) or hand warm. Vacuum or atmosphere quench rate through 1850-1300F(1010-705C) range is critical to achieve optimum heat treat results.

Temper : 1000F (540C) minimum, hold 2 hours at temperature, air cool. Temper twice minimum. Triple tempering is recommended if austenizing at 2000F (1095C)

Cryogenic Treating : Refrigeration treatments may improve long term dimensional stability by transforming retained austenite. Refrigeration treatments should generally be performed after the first temper, and must be followed by a temper.

Hardening Data

Temperature		1850F	1900F	1950F	2050F	2100F	2150F
°C	°F	(1025C)	(1040C)	(1065C)	(1120C)	(1150C)	(1175C)
As Quenched		61	63	65	65	64.5	63.5
540	1000	56	57	60.5	62	63	64
OPTIMUM FOR MAXIMUM TOUGHNESS AND EFFECTIVE STRESS-RELIEVING
550	1025	54	56	58.5	60	62	63
565	1050	52	54	56.5	58	60	61
595	1100	49	51	52	54	55	56
620	1150	44	45	46	48	50	51
650	1200	40	41	43	46	47	48

NOTE A: RESULTS MAY VARY WITH HARDENING METHOD AND SECTION SIZE. SALT OR OIL QUENCHING WILL GIVE MAXIMUM RESPONSE. VACUUM OR ATMOSPHERE COOLING MAY RESULT IN UP TO 1-2 HRC POINTS LOWER.
MINIMUM TIME AT AUST TEMP (MINS)	60	45	30	20	15	10
MINIMUM NUMBER OF TEMPERS (2 HRS)	2	2	2	2	3	3

Surface Treatments

A-11 can be nitrided, steam tempered or titanium-nitride coated if desired. If the CVD TiN treatment is used, care is required in vacuum hardening.

Annealing

Heat to 1600F (870C), hold 2 hours, slow cool 30F (15C)/hour maximum) to 1000F (540C), air cool.

Typical annealed hardness: 255/277 BHN.

Stress Relieving

Annealed Material: Heat to 1100/1300F(595/740C), hold two hours, cool in still air.
Hardened Material: Heat to 25F(15C) below original tempering temperature, hold two hours, cool in still air.

Welding

Welding of A-11 is generally not recommended due to the fine-grain microstructure produced by the PM process. If weld repair must be performed, use air hardening tool steel filler material.

Annealed Material:Preheat 1000/1100F(540/595C), maintain over 1000F(540C) during welding. Reanneal or temper 1550F(845C) 6 hours after welding.

Hardened Material: Preheat to 25F(15C) below original tempering temperature (1000F(540C) minimum). Maintain above 900F(480C) during welding. Cool to 150F(65C) after welding. Temper 25F(15C) below original tempering temperature. Minimum 1000F(540C)

Physical Properties

Modulus of Elasticity	32psix10(6)	(221 GPa)
Density	0.268 lb/in3	(7695 kg/M3)
Thermal Conductivity	15 BTU/hr./ft./F	26 W/m/ °K)