VERTEX Air Hardening Tool Steel
Vertex tool steel is a versatile, high-chromium, air-hardening tool steel that is characterized by a relatively high attainable hardness and numerous, chromium-rich alloy carbides in the microstructure. These carbides provide good resistance to wear from sliding contact with other metals and abrasive materials. The primary alloy carbides in Vertex are smaller than the large chromium-rich alloy carbides which are characteristic of
D2 tool steel. These smaller carbides result in better impact toughness and superior fatigue properties compared to
D2. The molybdenum addition in Vertex enhances the hardness of the alloy carbides, and more significantly, provides superior secondary hardening response compared to
D2. Therefore, unlike
D2, Vertex can be tempered at higher tempering temperatures yet still attain a hardness in excess of 60 Rockwell C. Because of the higher secondary hardness, Vertex exhibits superior wear resistance compared to
D2 tempered at the higher tempering temperatures.
Analysis:
|
C
|
CO
|
CR
|
MN
|
MO
|
NI
|
P
|
S
|
SI
|
V
|
W
|
| 1.00 | | 8.25 | 0.50 | 2.25 | | | | 1.00 | 0.40 | |
Size Availability:
Flats • Hollowbar • Metric • Non-Standard • Rounds • Squares • StandardApplications:
| Blanking Dies | Coining Dies | Food Processing Knives |
| Forming Dies | Punches | Rolls |
| Shear Blades | Slitters | Thread Roller Dies |
| Trimming Dies | | |
Designations:
VERTEX Tool Steel - US
| Treatment | Temperature Range | Cooling/Quenching | Notes |
|---|
| Forging | 1760-2050° F | Cool slowly | Should not forge any higher than 2050° F. Cool slowly in furnace or in some other insulating media. |
| Annealing | 1600-1650° F | Cool slowly in furnace at a rate not exceeding 50° F per hour to 1000° F | Heat at a rate not exceeding 400° F per hour and hold at temperature for one hour per inch of thickness. |
| Stress Relieving | 1200-1250° F | Cool slowly | Hold for one hour per inch of thickness with a 2 hour minimum.
Stress relieve after rough machining |
| Preheating | 1150-1250° F Equalize then 1400-1450° F | Air or pressurized gas. | Complex tools should use a double preheat |
| Hardening | 1850-1950° F | Air cool to under 100° F for maximum hardness response | For maximum wear, use high side of range. For maximum toughness, use low side of range. |
| Tempering | (See Chart) | Air. | Temper immediately after quenching. The desired secondary hardening of Vertex will support higher tempering temperatures 970° F and above. Double temper. |
Data is typical and should not be construed as actual values for any category.
Applications and technical information require engineers and tool designers to exercise independent judgement.
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