Latrobe,BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet,Plate (AISI A7)

Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet/Plate (AISI A7) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet/Plate (AISI A7) Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel (AISI A7) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel (AISI A7)** ## **Product Overview** Latrobe BR-3® is a premium-grade, high-carbon, medium-chromium, air-hardening cold work tool steel conforming to AISI A7 classification. Renowned for its **exceptional abrasive wear resistance**—ranking among the highest of all commercial tool steels—BR-3® is specifically engineered for applications where wear is the primary failure mechanism. Its unique alloy composition results in a high volume of hard, complex carbides, making it the material of choice for blanking, forming, and punching abrasive materials over very long production runs. ## **Key Features & Benefits** * **Unmatched Abrasive Wear Resistance:** Exceptionally high carbon and tungsten content combined with chromium and vanadium creates a large volume of hard, primary carbides, providing superior resistance to wear in severe applications. * **Good Dimensional Stability:** As an air-hardening steel, it offers minimal distortion during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening grades, suitable for maintaining precision in complex die geometries. * **High Compressive Strength:** Capable of withstanding significant pressure without deformation, essential for cold forming and stamping operations. * **Limited Machinability in Annealed State:** Due to its high alloy content and carbide volume, machinability is fair; however, it offers **excellent grindability in the hardened state** for final tool finishing. * **Moderate Toughness:** While wear-resistant, its toughness is lower than many other cold work steels (e.g., A2, D2). It is best suited for applications with minimal impact or shock loading. ## **International Standard & Designations** * **Primary Standard:** **ASTM A681-08 (R2019):** Standard Specification for Tool Steel Alloy. * **Grade:** **A7** * **Unified Numbering System (UNS):** **T30107** * **Common International Equivalents:** * **ISO:** No direct equivalent; functionally similar to very high-carbon, high-chromium types. * **Germany (DIN/W-Nr.):** Approximated by **~1.2365** (X155CrVMo12-1) in terms of wear resistance, though chemistry differs. * **Japan (JIS):** No direct JIS equivalent. ## **Chemical Composition (%, typical - AISI A7)** | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Iron (Fe) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 2.00 - 2.50 | 5.00 - 5.75 | 0.50 - 1.50 | 0.70 - 1.40 | 0.50 - 1.00 | 0.20 - 0.50 | 0.20 - 0.50 | Balance | *Note:* The extremely high carbon content (>2.0%) is a defining characteristic, leading to its exceptional wear resistance and high attainable hardness. ## **Physical & Mechanical Properties (Typical)** | Property | Value / Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Density** | ~7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³) | | **Hardness (Annealed)** | 235-265 HB (Brinell) | | **Hardness (Heat Treated)** | **64 - 67 HRC** (Typical optimal working range for maximum wear resistance) | | **Austenitizing Temperature** | 955 - 980°C (1750 - 1795°F) | | **Quenching Medium** | Air (Still or Forced) | | **Tempering Temperature** | 150 - 540°C (300 - 1000°F). Often tempered in the range of 205-425°C (400-800°F) to optimize the hardness-toughness balance. **Triple tempering is recommended.** | | **Toughness** | Low to moderate; application must be designed to minimize tensile stress and impact. | ## **Product Applications** Latrobe BR-3® is used in demanding wear applications where tool life on abrasive materials is the paramount concern. * **Blanking and Punching Dies:** For extremely abrasive materials such as fiberglass, composites, sand-filled rubber, resins, hard plastics (e.g., phenolics), magnetic laminations, and abrasive sheet metals. * **Forming Rolls and Mandrels:** Where severe abrasion is a factor. * **Slitter Knives and Shear Blades:** For cutting abrasive non-metallic materials. * **Wear Parts:** Liners, guides, and components subject to severe abrasive wear with minimal impact. * **Brick and Ceramic Mold Liners.** ## **Processing & Heat Treatment Notes** * **Machining:** Should be performed in the annealed condition. Due to its high hardness and carbide content, machinability is fair to poor; use positive rake angles, sharp tools, and moderate speeds/feeds. * **Heat Treatment:** **Crucial preheating** (typically at 650-700°C / 1200-1300°F) is required before austenitizing to prevent cracking. Use a controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnace to prevent decarburization. Quench in still or forced air to below 65°C (150°F). **Immediate and multiple tempering cycles (2-3 times)** are essential to transform retained austenite, ensure dimensional stability, and develop optimal properties. Never use this steel in the as-quenched state. * **Grinding:** Performs well in the hardened state. Use sharp wheels and proper coolant to avoid localized overheating and grinding checks. --- **Disclaimer** *This product description provides typical information for A7 tool steel. Latrobe BR-3® may feature proprietary melting or processing for enhanced consistency. Its extremely high hardness and low toughness require careful application design and precise heat treatment. Properties are highly dependent on heat treatment parameters and section size. For critical applications, always consult the latest official technical data sheets and processing guidelines from Latrobe Specialty Steel to determine suitability and optimal processing parameters.* -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel (AISI A7) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <5350 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel (AISI A7) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet,Plate (AISI A7) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet,Plate (AISI A7) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Latrobe BR-3® High Carbon-Medium Chromium Die Steel Sheet/Plate (AISI A7) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and Steel Sheet/Plate drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 1821 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition