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Technical Information for M-42 High Speed Steel

XL-42 PM (AISI M42 equivalent) is a high speed, powdered-metal steel, offering excellent abrasion resistance combined with high hardness values. Typical analysis is shown in the chart below:
Carbon

Silicon

Manganese

 Chromium

Molybdenum

Vanadium

Tungsten

Cobalt
1.3%

0.20%

0.25%

4.25%

5.00%

4.10%

5.80%

8.00%
Because of XL-42 PM's evenly distributed carbides, the finished steel offers improved hardness, abrasion resistance and dimensional stability.
XL-42 PM is used in a variety of applications, such as:
Slitting Saws
Stamping
Slotting Saws
Blanking Punches
Drills
Blanking Dies
Endmills
Forming Dies
Hobs
Fine Blanking Tools
Milling Cutters
Shearing Knives
Slitting Knives
Temperature Recommendations:
Annealing:  1525ºF - 1600ºF
Preheating:  1400ºF - 1550ºF
Hardening:  2125ºF - 2175ºF
Tempering: 950ºF

Note: A minimum of four tempers are recommended.

Heat Treatment:
Forging limits 2100/1700ºF
Stress relieving 1100/1350ºF
Annealing:
Full Anneal
Heat to 1550/1600ºF, hold for 2 hours
Cool slowly in the furnace at a maximum rate of 50ºF/hour to below 1200ºF
Air cool
Cycle Anneal
Heat to 1550/1600ºF, hold for 2 hours
Cool rapidly to 1400ºF, hold 4 to 6 hours
Air cool
Heat Treating:
Preheat range 1500/1550ºF
Hardening range Furnace - 2175/2200ºF
Salt Bath - 2150/2175ºF
Quench:
Air, oil, interrupted oil or interrupted salt
Tempering:
Normal range - 1000/1075ºF
Usual time - 2 hours per temper

Typical hardness values over a range of temperatures, oil quenched from a 2175ºF salt bath and tempered two hours three times:

Tempering Temperature Hardness, Rc
As Quenched 64/66
1000°F 67/69
1025°F 66/68
1075°F 63/65

For More Information please call or fax us at 800-654-2901  (fax) 860-684-6354

 

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Last modified: February 25, 1999