uddEhoLMELMAX

ELMAX

2

ELMAX

This information is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses. It should not therefore be construed as a warranty of specific properties of the products described or a warranty for fitness for a particular purpose.

Edition 090619

REFERENCE STANdARd

AISI dIN JIS

dF-2 ARNE o1 1.2510 SKS 3

dF-3 o1 1.2510 SKS 3

XW-5 SVERKER 3 d6 (d3) (1.2436) (SKd 2)

XW-10 RIGoR A2 1.2363 SKd 12

XW-41 SVERKER 21 d2 1.2379 SKd 11

XW-42 d2 1.2379 SKd 11

CARMo CARMo

CALMAX CALMAX

CALdIE CALdIE

ASSAB 88 SLEIPNER

ASP 23 (M3:2) 1.3344 SKh 53

ASP 30 (M3:2 + Co) 1.3244 SKh 40

ASP 60 1.3241

VANAdIS 4 EXTRA VANAdIS 4 EXTRA

VANAdIS 6 VANAdIS 6

VANAdIS 10 VANAdIS 10

VACRoN 40 VANCRoN 40

618 P20 Mod. 1.2738

618 hh P20 Mod. 1.2738

618 T P20 Mod. 1.2738 Mod.

718 SuPREME IMPAX SuPREME P20 Mod. 1.2738

718 hh IMPAX hh P20 Mod. 1.2738

NIMAX NIMAX

uNIMAX uNIMAX

CoRRAX CoRRAX

STAVAX ESR STAVAX ESR 420 Mod. 1.2083 ESR SuS 420J2

MIRRAX ESR MIRRAX ESR 420 Mod.

PoLMAX PoLMAX

ELMAX ELMAX

RAMAX Lh RAMAX Lh 420 F Mod.

RAMAX hh RAMAX hh 420 F Mod.

RoYALLoY

PRodAX

ASSAB PT18

ASSAB MMXL

ASSAB MM40

ALVAR 14 ALVAR 14 1.2714 SKT 4

8407 2M oRVAR 2M h13 1.2344 SKd 61

8407 SuPREME oRVAR SuPREME h13 Premium 1.2344 ESR SKd 61

dIEVAR dIEVAR

hoTVAR hoTVAR

QRo 90 SuPREME QRo 90 SuPREME

705 4340 1.6582 SNCM8

709 4140 1.7225 SCM4

760 1050 1.1730 S50C

3

ELMAX

GeneralElmax is a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum alloyed steel with the following characteristics:

Good corrosion resistance

High wear resistance

High polishability

Very good dimensional stability during heat treatment

High wear resistance is normally associated with low corrosion resistance and vice versa. In Elmax, however, this unique combination of good corrosion resistance and high abrasive wear resistance is achieved by SuperClean3 powder metallurgical process.

Elmax offers a possibility to make long-life, low maintenance moulds for the best overall moulding economy.

Typical analysis %C1.7

Si0.8

Mn0.3

Cr18.0

Mo1.0

V3.0

Standard spec. None

Delivery condition Soft annealed to approx. 280 HB

Colour code Blue / Black

ApplicationsSpecifically developed for the latest engineered plastics with high filler content, Elmax sets an entirely new standard for corrosion resistance in extended service life applications. Specific uses range from small to medium cavities and cores that are subjected to high abrasion, long-run moulds and slides.

PropertiesPhYSICAL PRoPERTIES

Hardened and tempered to 58 HRC.

Temperature 20°C 200°C 400°C

Density kg/m3

7 600 7 560 7 500

Modulus of elasticity MPa

230 000 210 000 200 000

Coefficient of thermal expansion per °C from 20°C

– 10.6 x 10-6 11.4 x 10-6

Thermal conductivity W/m °C

– 15 21

Specific heat J/kg °C

460 – –

CoMPRESSIVE STRENGTh

Approximate compressive strength at room temperature.

Hardness 60 HRC 55 HRC 50 HRC

Compressive strength, Rmc

3000 MPa 2700 MPa 2300 MPa

Compressive yield strength, Rc0.2

2300 MPa 2150 MPa 1800 MPa

* Thermal conductivity is difficult to measure. The scatter may be as high as ±15%.

CoRRoSIoN RESISTANCE

Moulds made from Elmax will have good resistance to corrosion when moulding corrosive plastics under normal production conditions.

Recommended ASSAB plastic mould steels for DVD mould.

mirror sideSTAVAX ESRMIRRAX ESRPOLMAXELMAX

stamper sideELMAX

(surface treated)

TYPICAL APPLICATIoNS

Electronic products such as connectors, plugs, switches, resistors, integrated circuits, etc.

Plastic parts used in food processing, where a combination of corrosion resistance and wear resistance is required for cutting applications

Screws, barrels and nozzle tips

4

ELMAX

Heat treatmentSoFT ANNEALING

Protect the steel and heat through to 980°C, holding time 2 hours. Then cool in furnace 20°C/h to 850°C. Holding time 10 hours. Cool slowly to 750°C. Then freely in air.

STRESS RELIEVING

After rough machining, the tool should be heated through to 650°C, holding time 2 hours. Cool slowly to 500°C, then freely in air.

hARdENING

Preheating temperature: 600 - 850°C

Austenitising temperature: 1050 - 1100°C, normally 1080°C

Temperature°C

Soaking time minutes

Hardness before tempering

1050

1080

1100

30

30

30

60 HRC

61 HRC

61 HRC

TEMPERING

Choose the tempering temperature according to the hardness required by reference to the tempering graph. Temper at least twice with intermediate cooling to room temperature. The preferred tempering temperature is 250°C or higher. In exceptional cases, a minimum tempering temperature of 180°C can be used for small simple inserts and parts where toughness is of less importance. Holding time at tempering temperature minimum 2 hours.

Tempering graph

Soaking time = Time at hardening temperature after the tool is fully heated through.

Protect the tool against decarburisation and oxidation during hardening.

CCT graph

Austenitising temperature 1025°C. Holding time 30 minutes.

5

ELMAX

QuENChING MEdIA

Vacuum furnace with high speed gas at sufficient overpressure (2 - 5 bar)

Fluidised bed or salt bath 200 - 550°C, then cool in air

In order to obtain optimum properties for the tool, the cooling rate should be fast, but not at a rate that will gives excessive distortion or crack. Temper immediately when the tool reaches 50 - 70°C.

dIMENSIoNAL ChANGES duRING hEAT TREATMENT

Illustration of the effect from austenitising temperature and sub-zero cooling

Specimen size: 40 x 40 x 40 mm

SuB-zERo TREATMENT

Parts requiring maximum dimensional stability should be sub-zero treated, otherwise volume changes may arise.

Immediately after quenching, the piece should be sub-zero treated, followed by tempering. Elmax is commonly sub-zero treated between -150°C and -196°C, although occasionally -40°C and lower temperatures (e.g., -80°C) are used due to constraints of the sub-zero medium and equipment available. A treatment time of 1 - 3 hours at temperature will give a hardness increase of 1 - 3 HRC.

Avoid intricate shapes as there is a risk of cracking.

hEAT TREATMENT CYCLE

Recommended heat treatment cycle for the optimal combination of hardness, corrosion resistance and dimensional stability

Optimum Corrosion Resistance

Austenitising 1050°C 1080°C

Sub-zero* -150 to -170°C -150 to -170°C

Tempering 2 x 250°C 2 x 250°C

Hardness approx. 58 - 59 HRC approx. 59 - 60 HRC

Optimum Wear Resistance

Best Dimensional Stability

Austenitising 1080°C 1050 - 1080°C

Sub-zero* -150 to -170°C -150 to -170°C

Tempering 2 - 3 x 480°C 2 - 3 x 480°C

Hardness approx. 60 - 61 HRC approx. 58 - 61 HRC

* Sub-zero temperatures of -150°C down to -196°C are nowadays commonly used.

Recommended heat treatment cycle to obtain specific optimum property

Austenitising 1050°C / 30min 1050°C / 30min

Quenching medium air air

Sub-zero treatment – -60°C

Tempering 230°C / 2 x 2 h 230°C / 2 x 2 h

6

ELMAX

Machining recommendations

MILLING

Face and square shoulder milling

Drill diameter mm

Cutting speed (vc)

m/minFeed (f) mm/r

≤ 5 10 - 12* 0.05 - 0.15

5 - 10 10 - 12* 0.15 - 0.20

10 - 15 10 - 12* 0.20 - 0.25

15 - 20 10 - 12* 0.25 - 0.35

* For coated HSS drill, vC = 18 - 20 m/min

Cutting data parameters

Type of drill

Indexable insert

Solid carbide

Brazed carbide1

Cutting speed (v

c)

m/min90 - 120 60 - 80 30 - 35

Feed (f) mm/r

0.05 - 0.152 0.10 - 0.252 0.15 - 0.252

Carbide drill

dRILLING

high speed steel twist drill

Type of grindingSoft annealed

conditionHardened condition

Face grinding straight wheel

A 46 HVB 151 R50 B31

A 46 GV

Face grinding segments

A 36 GV A 46 GV

Cylindrical grinding A 60 KVB 151 R50 B31

A 60 JV

Internal grinding A 60 JVB 151 R75 B31

A 60 IV

Profile grinding A 100 IV B 126 R100 B61

A 100 JV

TuRNING

Cutting data parameters

Turning with carbideTurning

with HSS†

Rough turning

Fine turning

Fine turning

Cutting speed (v

c)

m/min70 - 120 120 - 140 10 - 14

Feed (f) mm/r

0.2 - 0.4 0.05 - 0.2 0.05 - 0.2

Depth of cut (ap)

mm2 - 4 0.5 - 2 0.5 - 3

Carbide designation ISO

K20, P10 - P20Coated carbide*

K15, P10Coated carbide*

–

† High speed steel* Use a wear-resistant Al

2O

3 coated carbide grade

1 If possible, use CBN wheels for this application

GRINdING

Wheel recommendation

1 Drill with internal cooling channel and brazed carbide tip2 Depending on drill diameter

The cutting data below are to be considered as guiding values and as starting points for developing your own best practice.

Condition: Soft annealed condition ~280 hB

End milling

Cutting data parameters

Type of end mill

Solid carbide

Carbide indexable

insert

High speed steel

Cutting speed (v

c)

m/min50 - 60 80 - 110 5 - 81

Feed (fz)

mm/tooth0.01 - 0.22 0.06 - 0.22 0.01 - 0.32

Carbide designation ISO

–

K15, P10 - P20Coatedcarbide3

–

1 For coated HSS end mill, vC = 14 - 16 m/min

2 Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter3 Use a wear-resistant Al

2O

3 coated carbide grade

* Use a wear-resistant Al2O

3 coated carbide grade

Cutting data parameters

Milling with carbide

Rough milling Fine milling

Cutting speed (v

c)

m/min80 - 110 110 - 140

Feed (fz)

mm/tooth0.2 - 0.4 0.1 - 0.2

Depth of cut (ap)

mm2 - 4 ≤ 2

Carbidedesignation ISO

K20, P20Coated carbide*

K15, P10Coated carbide*

7

ELMAX

Further informationFor further information, i.e., steel selection, heat treatment, application and availability, please contact our ASSAB office* nearest to you.

*See back cover page.

Electrical discharge machining

RESISTANCE To FAILuRE MEChANISMS ANd CRITICAL MouLd STEEL PRoPERTIES

Relative comparison of ASSAB plastic mould steels

ASSAB gradePlastic

deformationCracking Wear Corrosion Polishability

Thermal conductivity

Machinability

618

ROYALLOY

718 HH

NIMAX

CORRAX

POLMAX

MIRRAX ESR

STAVAX ESR

8407 SUPREME

UNIMAX

ELMAX

XW-10

If EDM is performed in the hardened and tempered condition, the EDM’d surface is covered with a resolidified layer (white layer) and a rehardened and untempered layer, both of which are very brittle and hence detrimental to the tool performance.

When a profile is produced by EDM, it is recommended to finish with “fine-sparking”, i.e., low current, high frequency. For optimal performance, the EDM’d surface should be ground/polished to remove the white layer completely. The tool should then be retempered at approx. 25°C below the highest previous tempering temperature.

ELMAX

Our forging press is one of the most modern of its kind in the world.

ASSAB TOOL STEELS have been in Asia

since 1945. Our customers associate ASSAB

brand with tooling materials that are high in

quality and consistency.

The ASSAB sales companies and distributors

offer you well assorted stocks in a number

of places covering the Asia Pacific region. To

further shorten the lead time, ASSAB will

mill, grind, drill and even wire-cut the tool

steel to meet your requirements. ASSAB

also provides state-of-the-art vacuum heat

treatment services to enhance the steel

properties.

Our engineers and metallurgists are always

ready to assist you in your choice of the

optimum steel grade and the best treament

for each application. We always carry out

material examinations at our local mini

laboratories and at the central laboratory in

Sweden.

Our steel mill in Sweden, Uddeholm Tooling,

is one of the few steelworks in the world

that is dedicated to the manufacture of tool

steels only. Uddeholm Tooling is certified to

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Besides tool steels, the ASSAB services for

tool makers include:

Welding electrodes for repair welding

of tools

High strength aluminium for tooling

purposes

Copper alloys (e.g., beryllium copper)

for inserts in moulds

Alloy machinery steels

Cold rolled strip steels for saws,

compressor valves, coater blades, etc

High Performance Steels (HPS)

Granshot