Improved HARDTEM®
Improved HARDTEM possesses excellent toughness and resistance to shock, abrasion, heat checking, and cracking at elevated temperatures. Aside from being an excellent die steel, this grade is also an excellent choice for use as machinery parts and extrusion component parts.
- Improved toughness and ductility
- Improved surface to center hardness distribution
- Improved machinability
A.I.S.I.-S.A.E. Tool Steel Type-None
ASM Tool Steel Type-6G
Recommended Applications
Dies and Forgings Components
- Die Blocks
- Anvil Dies
- Ram Dies
- Die Holders
- Sow Blocks
- Insert Dies
- Anvil Caps
- Shoe Blocks
- Hammer Guides
- Flat Forgings Dies
- Impacter Dies
- Press Brake Dies
- Hammer Keys
- Punches
Machinery and Extrusion Components
- Containers
- Backer-up Blocks
- Ejector Blocks
- Bushings
- Rollers
- Pinion Shafts
- Pinion Gears
- Misc. Shafting
- Dummy Blocks
Certain Plastic Mold Die Applications
HARDTEM has been universally accepted as an excellent material for both large and small impression die and Press Hot Forging applications. The NEW IMPROVED HARDTEM is a result of today’s steelmaking technology to refine and restrict the variance of the elements so that the chemistry of HARDTEM is balanced to provide optimum performance. In addition micro-additions provides inclusion shape control for excellent mechanical properties.
General Characteristics
HARDTEM possesses excellent toughness and shock resistant qualities and is resistant to abrasion, heat checking, and cracking at elevated temperatures. Its ability to retain strength and shape , along with its resistance to disintegration of the die impressions, is paramount for use at present day drop forging temperatures and production.
Aside from being an excellent die steel, this grade is also an excellent choice for use as machinery parts and extrusion component parts such as those listed under typical applications
Hardening
Heat to 1550/1575°F and immerse the die, impression face down, in a good quality of circulated quenching oil and quench to 400°F minimum. In order to prevent any possibility of decarburization, it is desirable to use an atmospheric controlled furnace. When this is not available, pack hardening or other protective coating is recommended. For pack hardening, pack in container with an inert material such as six to eight mesh spent pitch coke (or in case of Die Blocks place impression face down on a plate which is supported on suitable bars to permit circulation of air underneath. The die is supported and held separate from plate by small bars approximately I" square. The intervening space is filled with spent pitch coke; also this material should be heaped up along the sides of the die to insure non-oxidizing atmosphere on the impression face of the die.) The alternate method of protective coating is by use of anti-decarburizing paints now readily available at heat treat supply houses.
Tempering
The rate of heating should not be over 200°F per hour. When the die or tool is of very intricate design or when the die thickness varies greatly, a slower rate is suggested in order to permit uniform heating of the heavy and thin sections.
Hold the die at the tempering temperature for approximately 3/4 to I hour per inch of thickness.
Upon completion of tempering, the block should be air cooled from the tempering temperature.
Doubled Tempering
Double tempering of large die blocks is a practice employed for the purpose of imparting a more stable structure in these large blocks. This practice helps blocks while in service. The shank tempering (or soft shanking) of die blocks serves a twofold purpose both of which should be of great benefit to the customer, namely, easier machinability of the shank and the prevention of cracked or jumped shanks.
Supplied Hardness Ranges
Hardness Letter And Range
| Letter | Brinell Ball Dia. | Brinell Number | Rockwell "C" Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | 3.00-2.85 | 415-461 | 45-49 |
| A | 3.10-2.95 | 388-429 | 41-45 |
| B | 3.30-3.15 | 341-375 | 36-40 |
| C | 3.50-3.35 | 302-331 | 32-35 |
| D | 3.70-3.55 | 269-293 | 28-31 |