|
Technical Information for M-4 High Speed Steel
 | XL-4 (AISI M4 equivalent) is a high speed,
powdered-metal steel, offering excellent abrasion resistance. Typical analysis is shown in
the chart below: |
| Carbon |
Silicon |
Manganese |
Chromium |
Molybdenum |
Vanadium |
Tungsten |
| 1.3% |
0.20% |
0.25% |
4.25% |
5.00% |
4.10% |
5.80% |
Because of XL-4's evenly distributed carbides, the finished
steel offers improved toughness, dimensional stability and grindability.
| XL-4 is used in a variety of applications, such as:
 | Stamping |
| Slitting Saws |
| Slotting Saws |
| Blanking Punches
|
| Blanking Dies |
| Drills |
| Endmills |
| Forming Dies |
| Hobs Fine Blanking Tools |
| Milling Cutters |
| Shearing Knives |
| Slitting Knives |
|
| Temperature Recommendations:
| Annealing: 1600ºF - 1650ºF |
| Preheating: 1400ºF - 1550ºF |
| Hardening: 2150ºF - 2225ºF |
| Tempering: 1000ºF |
|
Note: A minimum of three tempers are recommended.
| Heat Treatment:
| Forging Limits .... 2050/1700°F |
| Stress Relieving .... 1100/1350°F |
|
| Annealing:
| Full Anneal
 | Heat to 1550/1600°F, hold for 2 hours |
| Cool slowly in the furnaceat a maximum rate of 25°F/hour to
below 1000°F. |
| Air Cool |
|
| Cycle Anneal
| Heat to 1600°F, hold for 2 hours |
| Furnace cool to 1400°F, hold 4to 6 hours |
| Air cool |
|
|
| Heat Treating:
| Preheat Range .....1500/1550°F |
| Hardening range
| Furnace - 2150/2250°F |
| Salt Bath - 2150/2225°F |
|
| Quench - Air, Oil, Interrupted oil or interrupted salt
| Tempering
| Normal range - 1000/1100°F |
| Usual time - 2 hours per temper |
|
|
|
Typical hardness values over a range of temperatures, quenched
in oil from 2200°F (salt), tempered three times, 2 hours per temper:
| Tempering
Temperature |
Hardness, Rc |
| As quenched |
64/66 |
| 1000°F |
64/66 |
| 1025°F |
64/66 |
| 1050°F |
63/65 |
| 1075°F |
62/64 |
| 1100°F |
61/63 |
|
