Hot Work Tool Steel

TENAX300IM

TENAX300IM was developed to meet the market needs which required a longer life for industrial tools made from hot work tool steel. Presenting higher toughness when compared to other steels such as AISI H13 and H11, TENAX300IM is a modified version of AISI H11, produced with special raw materials. Its main similarities are UNS T20811, DIN X38CrMoV5-1 and W.Nr 1.2343. The material meets NADCA #207-2022 Grade E strict standards, which makes it the best choice for die casting applications.

The superior properties of TENAX300IM are a result of the special processing applied during its manufacture, called ISOMAX®, and its differentiated chemical composition. Broadly speaking, this process refers to the refining of the material by electroslag remelting (ESR), homogenization of the remelted ingots at high temperatures and special annealing. The chemical composition of TENAX300IM has a reduction in silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) content, promoting improvements in toughness and temper strength, without compromising the levels of hot resistance and response to heat treatment, things that are commonly found in the usual steels available for this segment.

Applications

TENAX300IM presents superior toughness when compared to other steels of similar applications, even in its remelted versions, commonly used in non-ferrous alloy die casting molds.

As a martensitic tool steel it is suitable for applications where resistance to mechanical and thermal crack initiation and propagation is essential. Thus, toughness is the most important property to determine tool life. TENAX300IM is recommended for:

• Dies and molds for casting aluminum and other non-ferrous alloys;
• Wear parts, when nitrided.
• Extrusion dies for aluminum and other non-ferrous alloys;
• Forging dies and shear scissors involving shock;
• Hot shear scissors;
• Plastic injection molds for non-chlorinated polymers,

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H11 (MOD.) Remelted

• DIN | WNr: 1.2343 (MOD.) Remelted

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 50

• Chemical composition:

TENAX300

Dies and components for high-pressure die casting of non-ferrous alloys, especially aluminum. Forging dies, especially those with complex dimensions or requiring high cracking resistance. Note: impact resistance> 300 J (Specimen removed from core and treated for 44/46HRC). Premium quality (NADCA).

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H11 (MOD.)

• DIN | WNr: 1.2343 (MOD.)

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 50

• Chemical composition:

VTMPLUS

Developed by Villares Metals for application in high performance warm and hot forging tools. The improved combination of higher hardness (58HRC), hot wear and heat resistance, keeping a good toughness level. ESR remelted material. Warm and hot forging dies and punches, extrusion dies of Aluminum and others nonferrous alloys, complex shaped die-casting dies and inserts, hot shearing blades and toughness demand in cold work applications.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: –

• Max. Hardness (HB): 250

• Chemical composition:

VEX METALS

VEX is a tool steel specifically designed for hot work applications that are typically nitrided. Its modified chemical composition provides higher resistance to tempering and nitriding response when compared to AISI H11 and H13, while maintaining a high level of toughness. There is aluminum nitride formation in VEX’ diffusion layer instead of chromium nitrides which are typically formed in chromium-linked tool steels. Due to the higher hardness of aluminum nitrides as compared to chromium nitrides, dies made of VEX show excellent wear resistance after nitriding.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: –

• Max. Hardness  (HB): 230

• Chemical composition:

VH13IM

Molds for high pressure or gravity die casting of light alloys, especially Al and Mg alloys in complex or larger parts. Highly smoothed thermoplastic polymer injection molds with high mechanical strength. High performance dies used in press forging. High-temperature shear blades. NOTE: impact energy greater than 250 J, for unnotched test samples, as per NADCA # 207-90; and greater than 13,5J (10 ft. lbs), for test samples with V-Notch, as per NADCA # 207-2008: Material remelted by ESR. Premium quality (NADCA).

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H13 Remelted

• DIN | WNr: 1.2344 Remelted

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition:

VH13ISO

Forging press punches and dies. Dies for extrusion of non-ferrous alloys. Molds for gravity casting light alloys, especially Al. High-temperature cutters. Dies for pressure casting aluminum alloys, in smaller parts or of little complexity. High-temperature shear blades. Note: impact energy higher than 200 J, for unnotched test samples, according to NADCA #207-90; and higher than 10.8J (8 ft. lbs), for V-Notched test samples, according to NADCA #207-2011. Premium quality.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H13

• DIN | WNr: 1.2344

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition:

VH13IM PLUS

Double remelted material (ESR/VAR) showing improved homogeneity and higher isotropy than VH13IM.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H13 Double Remelting

• DIN | WNr: 1.2344 Double Remelting

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition:

VCM

Dies, tools and punches for automatic high-speed and high-cooling forging presses for screws, nuts and rivets. Tools for pipe and billet extrusion presses, especially water cooled punches. Tools for high-pressure die casting of heavy metals. Sliding parts in forging dies.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H10

• DIN | WNr: 1.2365

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 50

• Chemical composition:

VPCW

Forging press dies and die inserts, hot punches, hot work shear blades.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H12

• DIN | WNr: 1.2606

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition:

VCO

Shallow print dies for hot forging hammers, cold-cutting shear blades used to cold cut billets and steel plates.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: 1.2721

• Hardness (HRc): 44 – 55

• Chemical composition:

VMO

Standard steel for forging dies used in high-performance drop hammers, supplied in blocks or bars.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: ~6F3

• DIN | WNr: 1.2714

• Hardness (HRc): 32 – 48

• Chemical composition:

VW9

Maximum yield tools for continuous work under high temperature environments not subjected to thermal shock. Suitable for punches, extrusion press discs, automotive valve press dies and forging dies.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H20/21

• DIN | WNr: 1.2581

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 50

• Chemical composition:

VCMAIM

Tools for hot embossing and pressure casting non-ferrous alloys (copper, brass, as well as tin-, lead- and zinc-based alloys). Dies for Hatebur forging press. Dies for forging automotive valves. Material remelted via ESR.

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: H10 (MOD.) Remelted

• DIN | WNr: 1.2885 Remelted

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 50

• Chemical composition:

N2888IM

Tool steel for hot work tools for stamping press, inserts for hot-melt pressing under pressure and tools for extrusion of heavy metals (dies, spindles).

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: 1.2888 Remelted

• Hardness (HRc): 42 – 53

• Chemical composition:

VHSUPER

Forging punches and dies, including high-temperature heading applications and inserts, where its high-temperature mechanical strength substantially boosts performance. Dies used in pressure casting and extrusion of aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. Premium quality (NADCA).

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: 1.2367 (MOD.)

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition:

VHSUPERIM

Steel with good toughness and high-temperature mechanical strength far better than those of H11 and H13. Material remelted by ESR. Typical applications: Dies and punches for hot forging press, dies for pressure casting non-ferrous alloys (where remelting is recommended, as well as extrusion dies consisting of Al alloys and Cu alloys). Premium quality (NADCA).

• ABTN | ASTM | SAE | AISI: –

• DIN | WNr: 1.2367 (MOD.) Remelted

  
  

• Hardness (HRc): 40 – 52

• Chemical composition: