Products

L-6 Oil Hardening Tool Steel

Product Type

L-6 is an oil hardening steel for use in applications requiring a good combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. The additional nickel contained in this grade produces an alloy with greater toughness than the standard oil hardening types while retaining desirable hardness and wear resistance.

L-6 is an oil hardening steel for use in applications requiring a good combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. The additional nickel contained in this grade produces an alloy with greater toughness than the standard oil hardening types while retaining desirable hardness and wear resistance.

Analysis:

CCOCRMNMONIPSSIVW
0.65 – 0.750.60 – 1.200.25 – 0.800.501.25 – 2.000.03 Max.0.03 Max.0.500.20 – 0.30

Designations:

UNS T61206-US
AISI L6 Tool Steel-US

TreatmentTemperature RangeCooling/QuenchingNotes
Preheating1200° FShould be preheated at 1200°F, soaked, then raised to a hardening temperature of 1500 to 1550°F and held for one hour per inch of greatest cross section.
Annealing1400°FTo anneal L-6, heat to 1400°F and hold one hour per inch of greatest thickness. Cool at 20 degrees per hour to 900 and then air-cool. A maximum hardness of Brinell 217 will be obtained following this treatment. Because of its air-hardening ability, L-6 should not be normalized.
Hardening1500-1550°FL-6 should be preheated at 1200°F, soaked, then raised to a hardening temperature of 1500 to 1550°F and held for one hour per inch of greatest cross section. Quench in oil to a temperature of 1500°F, followed immediately by tempering. Tools made of L-6 in sections less than 1 in. thickness are often air-quenched from 1500°F. Air quenching provides safer hardening of intricate sections. It also results in less distortion than oil quenching.
Tempering(See Chart)
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.