BÖHLER SPECIAL STEELS

BÖHLER grade Chemical composition (average values in %) Standards Application Heat treatment Steel properties
C Si Mn Cr Mo Ni V W Co Others EN / DIN JIS AISI

High speed steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening
temperature
Quenchant Normal tempering
temperature range
Obtainable hardness
after tempering
Red hardness Wear Toughness
resistance
Grindability Compressive
strength

1.10 0.50 0.25 3.90 9.20 – 1.00 1.40 7.80 – 1.3247 ~ SKH59 M42 Milling cutters, twist drills, taps, broaching tools, cold work tools. max. 280 HBW 1160 – 1180 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C), Gas 530 – 560 °C 67 – 69 HRC
S500 HS2-9-1-8
HHHH HH HH HHH HHHH

0.90 max. 0.45 max. 0.40 4.10 5.00 – 1.80 6.20 – – 1.3343 ~ SKH51 ~ M2 reg.C Taps, twist drills, reamers, broaching tools, metal saws, milling tools of all types, woodworking tools, max. 280 HBW 1190 – 1230 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C), Gas 550 – 570 °C 64 – 66 HRC
S600 HS6-5-2C cold work tools.
HHH HH HHH HHH HHH

0.92 0.40 0.30 4.10 5.00 – 1.90 6.20 4.80 – 1.3243 SKH55 (~ M35) Turning and planing tools of all types, milling cutters, taps, twist drills, woodworking tools, max. 280 HBW 1190 – 1230 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C), Gas 550 – 580 °C 64 – 66 HRC
S705 HS6-5-2-5 ~ M41 cold work tools.
HHH HH HHH HHH HHH

Powder metallurgical high speed steels

2.00 0.50 0.30 3.80 2.50 – 5.10 14.30 11.00 – Patent – – High speed steel produced by the powder metallurgical method for heavy-duty machining tools, max. 350 HBW 1150 – 1210 °C Salt bath 520 – 560 °C 66 – 70 HRC
S290 e.g. tools for nonferrous metals such as Ni-base and Ti-alloys.
HHHHH HHHHH H H HHHHH
1150 – 1190 °C Gas
Tools used under extreme compressive stresses, e.g. precision blanking tools for high-strength
materials.

1.64 0.45 0.30 4.80 2.00 – 4.80 10.40 8.00 – – – – max. 300 HBW 1150 – 1230 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 –550 °C), Gas 520 – 550 °C 65 – 69 HRC
S390
HHHH HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH

1.29 0.60 0.30 4.20 5.00 – 3.00 6.30 8.40 – 1.3244 – – max. 300 HBW 1075 – 1180 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 –550 °C), Gas 520 – 550 °C 65 – 67 HRC
S590 HS6-5-3-8
HHHH HHH HHH HHH HHHH

1.35 0.60 0.30 4.10 5.00 – 4.10 5.90 – – ~ 1.3351 ~ SKH54 ~ M4 High speed steel produced by the powder metallurgical method for heavy-duty machining tools, max. 280 HBW 1150 – 1200 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 –550 °C), Gas 540 – 570 °C 64 – 66 HRC
S690 ~ HS6-5-4 e.g. for machining of nonferrous metals alloys, such as Ti and Al-alloys.
HH HHH HHHHH HHH HHH
Tools exposed to high compressive stresses, e.g. in fine blanking of high-strength materials.

1.29 0.60 0.30 4.20 5.00 – 3.00 6.30 – – 1.3345 – ~ M3 Cl.2 max. 280 HBW 1050 – 1180 °C Oil, Air, Salt bath (500 –550 °C), Gas 540 – 570 °C 64 – 66 HRC
S790 HS6-5-3C
HH HH HHHH HHH HHH

Cold work tool steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening temperature Quenchant Obtainable hardness
after tempering
Wear resistance
abrasive
Toughness
adhesive
Compressive
strength
Dimensional stab.
in heat treatment

2.00 0.25 0.35 11.50 – – – – – – 1.2080 ~ SKD1 ~ D3 Standard grade of high carbon, high chromium steels. High-performance cutting tools (dies and p­ unches), max. 248 HWB 940 – 970 °C Oil, Air (< 25 mm Ø), Gas, 57 – 62 HRC
K100 X210Cr12 blanking and punching tools, woodworking tools, shear blades for cutting light-gauge ­material, thread rolling Salt bath (220 – 250 °C / 500 – 550 °C)
HHH HH H HH HH
dies, drawing, deep drawing and extrusion tools, pressing tools for the ceramics and pharmaceutical industries,
cold rolls for multiple-roll stands, measuring tools, plastic moulds.

1.55 0.30 0.30 11.30 0.75 – 0.75 – – – 1.2379 ~ SKD11 D2 Grade featuring excellent toughness and suitable for bath nitriding. High-performance cutting tools (dies and max. 250 HBW 1020 – 1040 °C Oil, Air, Gas, Salt bath (220 – 250 °C / 500 – 550 °C) 58 – 61 HRC
K110 X153CrMoV12 punches), blanking and punching tools, woodworking tools, shear blades for cutting light-gauge material, ­thread
HHH HH H HH HH
rolling dies, drawing, deep drawing and extrusion tools, pressing tools for the ceramics and pharmaceutical
industries, cold rolls for multiple-roll stands, measuring tools, plastic moulds.

0.52 0.95 0.40 8.00 1.40 – 0.45 – – – – – – High duty machine knives for the cellulose, paper and fiberboard industries, flat and circular shear blades for max. 240 HBW 1000 – 1020 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 47 – 58 HRC
K329 plates up to 15 mm thickness.
HH H HHHHH H H
1020 – 1040 °C Air

1.10 0.90 0.40 8.30 2.10 – 0.50 – – Al. Nb Patent – – Cutting tools (dies and punches), blanking and punching tools, cold forming tools e.g. drawing, deep drawing and max. 235 HBW 1040 – 1060 °C Oil, Air, Gas, Salt bath 57 – 63 HRC
K340 extrusion tools, coining tools, thread rolling dies, shear blades, measuring tools, woodworking tools.
HHH HHHH HHH HHHH HHH

0.82 0.70 0.40 8.00 1.60 – 0.60 – – Al Patent – – Veneer knives, shredder knives, high duty machine knives for the cellulose-, paper- and fiberboard industry, max. 240 HBW 1030 – 1060 °C Oil, Air, Gas, Salt bath 55 – 61 HRC
K353 flat- and circular shear blades, cutting- and punching tools, cold forming tools, coining tools, bending tools,
HHH HHH HHHHH HH HH
thread rolling tools, rolls

1.25 0.90 0.35 8.75 2.70 – 1.18 – – Al. Nb Patent – – Cutting tools (dies and punches), blanking and punching tools. Cold forming tools e.g. drawing, deep drawing max. 250 HBW 1040 – 1080 °C Oil, Air, Gas, Salt bath 57 – 63 HRC
K360 and extrusion tools, stamping tools, thread rolling dies. Shear blades for metal, recycling of plastics, paper.
HHHH HHHH HH HHHH HHH

2.47 0.55 0.40 4.20 3.80 – 9.00 1.00 2.00 – Patent –– Cutting tools (dies, punches) for normal and precision blanking, Extrusion tooling (cold and warm / semi-hot max. 280 HBW 1030 – 1180 °C Oil, Gas 58 – 64 HRC
K390 forming). Drawing and deep-drawing tools. Stamping tools. Thread rolling tools. Cold pilger rolling mandrels.
HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH
Compression moulding dies for the processing of sintered parts. Knife applications. Extruder cylinders and
conveyor screws. Mould inserts. Injection nozzles. Backflow check valves.

K455
0.63 0.60 0.30 1.10 – – 0.18 2.00 – – 1.2550 – ~ S1 Cutting tools (dies and punches) for heavy plate. Cold punches, cold shear blades, woodworking tools, shank max. 225 HBW 870 – 900 °C Oil 53 – 59 HRC H H HHHHH H H
60WCrV7 tools for pneumatic equipment, coining tools, hot work tools for low thermal stresses.

1.40 – – 6.40 1.50 – 3.70 3.50 – Nb – – – BÖHLER’s K490 MICROCLEAN is a greatly improved and more efficient cold work tool steel compared with other max. 280 HBW 1030 – 1080 °C Oil, Gas 58 – 64 HRC
K490 commonly used PM steels such as M4 or PM23. Toughness is more than doubled with a similar wear resistance.
HHHH HHHH HHHHH HHH HHHH
BÖHLER K490 MICROCLEAN’s balanced properties can be made use of in a wide range of applications: Blanking
and punching industry, Cold forming applications, Industrial knives

K600
0.48 0.25 0.40 1.30 0.25 4.00 – – – – 1.2767 – – Highly stressed coining tools, cutlery dies, hobbing tools, cold shear blades for heavy-gauge material, plastic max. 285 HBW 840 – 870 °C Air, Oil, Gas, Salt bath (300 – 400 °C) 48 – 54 HRC H H HHHHH H H
45NiCrMo16 moulds.

0.85 0.55 0.40 4.35 2.80 – 2.10 2.55 4.50 – Patent – – For tooling which requires a high edge stability and therefore a high capacity for plastic yield and a high fatigue max. 280 HBW 1030 – 1180 °C Oil, Gas 58 – 64 HRC
K890 strength e.g.cutting and blanking, fine cutting, cold forming, cold massive forming, powder compaction, warm
HHH HHH HHHHH HHHH HHHH
forging at lower temperatures.

Hot work tool steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening temperature Quenchant Obtainable hardness
after hardening
Obtainable hardness
after tempering
High temperature
strength
High temperature
toughness
High temperature
wear resistance
Machinability

W300
0.38 1.10 0.40 5.00 1.30 – 0.40 – – – 1.2343 SKD6 H11 Primarily for the processing of light metal alloys. Highly stressed hot work tools, such as mandrels, dies and max. 205 HBW 1000 – 1040 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 56 HRC max. 54 HRC HH HHHH HH HHHHH
X37CrMoV5-1 containers for metal tube and rod extrusion. Hot extrusion tools, tools for the manufacture of hollows, tools for Air, Gas 50 – 54 HRC
the manufacture of screws, nuts, rivets and bolts.
Die casting tools, forming dies, die inserts, hot shear blades.
W302
0.39 1.10 0.40 5.20 1.30 – 0.95 – – – 1.2344 SKD61 H13 max. 205 HBW 1020 – 1080 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 56 HRC max. 55 HRC HHH HHHH HHH HHHHH
X40CrMoV5-1 Air, Gas 50 – 54 HRC

0.38 0.40 0.40 5.00 2.80 – 0.55 – – – 1.2367 – – max. 205 HBW 1030 – 1080 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 56 HRC max. 54 HRC
W303 X38CrMoV5-3
HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH
Air, Gas 50 – 54 HRC

W320
0.31 0.30 0.35 2.90 2.70 – 0.50 – – – 1.2365 SKD7 ~ H10 Primarily for the processing of heavy metal alloys. Highly stressed hot work tools, such as mandrels, dies and max. 205 HBW
containers for metal tube and rod extrusion. Hot extrusion tools, tools for the manufacture of hollows, tools for
1010 – 1050 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C), 52 – 56 HRC max. 52 HRC HHH HH HHH HHHHH
32CrMoV12-28 Gas
(X32CrMoV3-3) the manufacture of screws, nuts, rivets and bolts.
Die casting tools, forming dies, die inserts, hot shear blades.
W321
0.39 0.30 0.35

2.90 2.70 – 0.55 – 2.60 – ~ 1.2885 – –
~ X32CrMoCoV3-3-3
max. 205 HBW

1000 – 1070 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C),
Gas
52 – 56 HRC max. 53 HRC HHHH HH HHHH HHHHH

W350
0.38 0.21 0.50 4.95 1.75 0.04 0.53 – – – DIN 1.2343 – H11 A balanced alloy composition ensuring high toughness even in large tools and an improved thermal stability max. 240 HBW 560 – 630 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 54 HRC max. 44 HRC HHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH
opts for an optimal hardness/strength-toughness/ductility ratio (elongation after fracture and percentage Air, Gas 50 – 53 HRC
­reduction of area after fracture) tailor-fit to every application.

0.50 0.20 0.25 4.50 3.00 – 0.60 – – – Patent – – Dies and punches in warm and hot forging. Tooling for high speed presses. Toughness-critical cold work appli- max. 205 HBW approx. 1050 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C), 57 – 58 HRC max. 57 HRC
W360 cations. Extrusion tooling, e.g. dies. Core pins and inserts in die-casting dies. Specific applications in the plastic Air, Gas
HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH
processing sector.

0.38 0.20 0.30 5.00 1.30 – 0.50 – – – ~ 1.2343 ~ SKD6 ~ H11 Primarily for the processing of light metal alloys. Highly stressed hot work tools, such as mandrels, dies and max. 205 HBW 980 – 990 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 54 HRC max. 54 HRC
W400 – ~ X37CrMoV5-1 containers for metal tube and rod extrusion. Hot extrusion tools, tools for the manufacture of hollows, tools for
HH HHHHH HH HHHH
Air, Gas 50 – 53 HRC
the manufacture of screws, nuts, rivets and bolts.
Die casting tools, forming dies, die inserts, hot shear blades.

0.38 0.20 0.25 5.00 2.80 – 0.65 – – – ~ 1.2367 – – max. 205 HBW 1020 – 1030 °C Oil, Salt bath (500 – 550 °C) 52 – 54 HRC max. 54 HRC
W403 – ~ X38CrMoV5-3
HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH
Air, Gas 50 – 53 HRC

Pre-hardened and precipitation hardened plastic mould steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening temperature /
Quenchant
Supplied condition Average surface hardness
N/mm2 after hardening Rockwell C
Normal assembly
condition
Wear Toughness
resistance
Polishability Machinability in Through-
as-supplied cond. hardenable
Etchability

0.40 0.40 1.50 1.90 0.20 – – – – S = 0.08 1.2312 – ~ P20 Small and medium-sized moulds for plastics processing, mould frames for the injection moulding and components max. 230 HBW 840 – 860 °C / Oil approx. 1000 – hardened and tempered
M200 40CrMnMoS8-6 for general mechanical engineering. Condition: hardened and tempered, requiring no further heat treatment. Good
HH H H HHH H H
machinability. Bath and gas nitriding as well as case hardening treatment are possible.

0.38 0.30 1.45 1.95 0.20 1.05 – – – – 1.2738 – ~ P20 Large and medium-sized moulds (over 400 mm thickness) for plastics proc., mould carrier frames for the plastic max. 240 HBW 840 – 860 °C / Oil approx. 1000 – hardened and tempered
M238 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4 moulds, comp. for general mechanical engineering and tool manufacture. Condition: hardened and tempered.
HH HH HH H HHH HHH

0.13 0.30 1.95 0.35 – 3.50 – – – S = 0.13 – – – Plastic mould tools were excellent machinability is essential, e.g. hot runner systems. Moulds for the production approx. 30 HRC 560 – 580 °C / Air – approx. 40 solution annealed and HH H H HH HH H
M261 Cu = 1.20 of packing rings (O-ring seals). Precision components for mechanical engineering. solution annealed precipitation hardened
Al = 1.75

0.38 0.30 1.50 2.00 0.20 1.10 – – – – ~ 1.2738 – ~ P20 Moulds for plastics processing, components for general mechanical engineering and tool manu­facture where max. 240 HBW 840 – 880 °C / Oil approx. 1200 – hardened and tempered
M268 highest polishability and fatigue strength are required.
HH HHH HHH H HHH HHH

Heat treated, corrosion resistant plastic mould steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening temperature /
Quenchant
Supplied condition Average surface hardness
N/mm2 after hardening Rockwell C
Normal assembly
condition
Corrosion Wear Toughness Polishability
resistance resistance as-supplied cond.
Machinability in the

0.28 0.25 0.65 14.50 0.95 0.85 – – – +N ~ 1.2316 – – Moulds for chemically agressive plastics e.g. moulds for household appliances, extrusion tools, moulds for approx. 235 HBW 1000 – 1020 °C / Oil, Gas, 900 – 1120 – hardened and tempered
M303 ~ X38CrMo16 fittings. Corrosion resistant. Salt bath (400 – 450 °C)   48 – 53 Oil hardened and tempered
HHH HH HH HHH H

0.05 0.30 0.95 12.60 – 0.45 – – – S = 0.10 Patent – – Mould frames and bolsters, frame superstructures, moulds requiring corrosion resistance and needing extensive – – approx. 1000 – hardened and tempered
M315 Cu = 0.40 machining, components.
HH H H H HHH

Hardenable, corrosion resistant plastic mould steels Hardness after

annealing
Hardening temperature /
Quenchant
Supplied condition Average surface hardness
N/mm2 after hardening Rockwell C
Normal assembly
condition
Corrosion Wear Toughness Polishability
resistance resistance as-supplied cond.
Machinability in the

0.38 0.70 0.43 14.25 – – 0.20 – – – ~ 1.2083 – ~ 420 Moulds for chemically aggresive plastics (e.g. PVC) and plastics containing abrasive fillers. Owing to its excellent max. 200 HBW 1000 – 1050 °C / Oil, Gas, – 50 – 54 hardened and tempered
M310 ~ X42Cr13 polishability this grade is particularly suited for moulds of lenses and other kinds of optical products, such as Salt bath
HH HH HH HH HHH
spectacles, camera parts.

0.28 0.30 0.30 13.50 – – – – – +N Patent – – Moulds and mould inserts were optimum polishability for mirror finish, improved conductivity, very good corro- max. 220 HBW 980 – 1020 °C / Oil, Gas – 48 – 52 hardened and tempered
M333 sion resistance with exceptional toughness properties are required.
HH HH HHH HHH HHH

0.54 0.45 0.40 17.25 1.10 – 0.10 – – +N Patent – – Moulds and extruder screws for the plastic processing industry for improved corrosion- and wear resistance. max. 260 HBW 980 – 1000 °C / Oil, Gas – 53 – 58 hardened and tempered
M340 Knives for the food industry.
HHH HHH H H HH

1.91 0.60 0.30 20.00 1.00 – 4.00 0.60 – – Patent – – Plastic mould steel produced by the powder metallurgy method. Moulds for chemically aggressive moulding max. 280 HBW 1120 – 1180 °C / Oil, Gas, – 58 – 60 hardened and tempered HHH HHH HH HHH H
M390 compounds and plastics containing abrasive fillers (particularly for large series), e.g. mould inserts for the Salt bath
manufacture of compact discs, moulds for the processing of duroplastics, moulds for the manufacture of chips
for the electronics industry as well as screws, backflow valves and linings of cylinders for i­njection moulding
machines, components for machines used in the food processing industry, knife blades.

1 Also available in ISODISC quality. This evaluation is solely intended for use in each individual segment.

BÖHLER Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG, A-8605 Kapfenberg, Mariazeller Straße 25, Phone: +43-3862-20-37181, Fax: +43-3862-20-37576, E-Mail: info@bohler-edelstahl.at, www.bohler-edelstahl.com AL 013 E - 02.2014 - CD - NOS