Crucible Steel Capillary,CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary

Crucible Steel Capillary CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel Capillary CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Crucible Steel CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Technical Datasheet: Crucible Steel CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel** --- ## **1. Product Overview** **Crucible CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS)** is a premium-grade **powder metallurgy (PM), high-carbon variant of M4 high-speed steel (HSS)** developed for applications demanding **maximum wear resistance while maintaining high hot hardness**. The "Rex" brand denotes Crucible's proprietary PM manufacturing, while "HC" indicates **Higher Carbon** content compared to standard M4, and "HS" confirms its classification as **High-Speed Steel**. This enhanced composition pushes the performance envelope of M4-type steels, delivering **superior abrasive wear resistance, excellent red-hardness, and improved grindability** over conventionally produced M4. This material is engineered for severe-service cutting and wear applications where standard M2 or M4 grades reach their limits prematurely, particularly in machining modern superalloys, hardened steels, and highly abrasive composites. The CPM process ensures a uniform, fine distribution of hard vanadium and molybdenum carbides, resulting in isotropic properties and predictable performance in the most demanding conditions. --- ## **2. Key International Standards & Designations** | Country/System | Standard Designation | Equivalent/Specification | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **USA (Crucible)** | **CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS)** | Proprietary PM HSS | | **USA (AISI/SAE)** | **Enhanced AISI M4** (Higher Carbon) | - | | **USA (ASTM)** | **ASTM A600** | Custom PM Grade | | **ISO** | **ISO 4957:2018** | **HS2-9-2 / 1.3348** (Modified) | | **Europe (EN)** | **EN ISO 4957:2018** | **1.3348** (Enhanced) | | **Germany (DIN/W-Nr.)** | **1.3348+** | S 2-9-2 (High-Carbon variant) | | **Japan (JIS)** | **- -** | Proprietary composition | | **Common Names** | Super M4, High-Carbon M4, PM M4 HC | - | **Note:** This is a proprietary enhanced grade. While based on AISI M4, the higher carbon content and PM microstructure place it in a superior performance category without a direct universal standard equivalent. --- ## **3. Chemical Composition (Typical %)** The composition builds upon standard M4 with a strategically increased carbon content to enhance carbide formation and matrix hardness. | Element | Weight % (Typical) | Comparison to Std M4 | Metallurgical Function | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Carbon (C)** | **1.40 - 1.50** | **Higher (~0.1% more)** | Increased carbon ensures higher matrix hardness and provides additional carbon for vanadium carbide (VC) formation, directly boosting wear resistance. | | **Vanadium (V)** | 4.00 - 4.50 | Similar (High) | Forms very hard **MC-type vanadium carbides**; primary source of abrasive wear resistance. The high volume is key to performance. | | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | 4.50 - 5.00 | Similar | Primary element for hardenability and hot hardness; forms Mo-rich carbides. | | **Tungsten (W)** | 5.50 - 6.00 | Similar | Contributes to solid solution strengthening and hot hardness. | | **Chromium (Cr)** | 4.00 - 4.50 | Similar | Provides hardenability and contributes to wear/corrosion resistance. | | **Cobalt (Co)** | **0.0 - 0.5** (Optional/Trace) | May be present | If added, further enhances hot hardness and tempering resistance. | | **Silicon (Si), Manganese (Mn)** | < 0.50 | Similar | Standard deoxidizers and strengtheners. | **Key Microstructural Advantage:** - **Enhanced Carbide Volume:** Higher carbon allows for a greater volume of hard carbides, particularly vanadium carbides. - **CPM Refinement:** The PM process creates a uniform dispersion of fine, spherical carbides (2-4 µm), eliminating the large, brittle networks of wrought M4. - **Isotropic Properties:** Uniform behavior in all directions, critical for complex tool geometries. --- ## **4. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **4.1 Standard Heat Treatment** * **Annealing:** Heat to 850-870°C (1560-1600°F), slow cool. Annealed hardness: **~240-260 HB**. * **Preheating:** **Critical.** Double preheat at 650°C (1200°F) and 850°C (1560°F). * **Austenitizing:** **1190-1220°C (2175-2230°F).** Upper end may be used to maximize secondary hardening. Vacuum or salt bath required. * **Quenching:** **Oil, salt bath, or high-pressure gas.** * **Tempering:** **Triple tempering mandatory.** Temper at **540-570°C (1000-1060°F)** for 2+ hours each. **Cryogenic treatment** between quench and temper is highly beneficial. * **Expected Hardness:** **65-67 HRC** (slightly higher than standard M4 due to higher carbon). ### **4.2 Mechanical Properties (Hardened & Triple Tempered)** | Property | Value / Rating (Typical) | Advantage vs. Standard M4 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Hardness** | **65 - 67 HRC** | **1-2 HRC points higher** due to higher carbon content. | | **Hot Hardness (600°C/1112°F)** | **~59-62 HRC** | Excellent, comparable or slightly better due to enhanced matrix. | | **Abrasive Wear Resistance** | **Excellent to Outstanding** | **Significantly improved** due to higher carbide volume and refined PM structure. | | **Transverse Rupture Strength (TRS)** | **3,200 - 3,800 MPa** | **Higher and more consistent** than wrought M4, enabling more reliable tool performance. | | **Impact Toughness** | **Good (for its class)** | The refined PM structure provides better toughness than wrought M4 at equivalent hardness. | | **Grindability** | **Good (for HSS)** | **Vastly superior to wrought M4** due to fine, uniform carbides. | | **Red-Hardness & Tempering Resistance** | Excellent | Maintains cutting edge integrity at high speeds/feeds. | ### **4.3 Physical Properties (Approximate)** * Density: ~8.10 g/cm³ * Thermal Conductivity: ~23 W/m·K (Low) * Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 11.0 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-500°C) * Modulus of Elasticity: 220 GPa --- ## **5. Typical Product Applications** CPM Rex M4 HC is designed for **high-performance cutting and severe wear applications** beyond the capability of standard high-speed steels. * **Advanced Cutting Tools:** * **End Mills & Drills:** For machining **titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), nickel-based superalloys (Inconel 718, Waspaloy), hardened steels (50-65 HRC), and abrasive composites.** * **Gear Hobs & Shaper Cutters:** For dry/hard gear machining operations. * **Broaches, Reamers, Form Tools:** Requiring extreme precision and long life in tough materials. * **Indexable Inserts & Tool Bits:** For turning and milling where edge wear is critical. * **High-Wear Tooling & Components:** * **Cold Work Dies** for punching/blanking abrasive materials. * **Thread Rolling Dies** for high-strength alloys. * **Wear Parts** in machinery processing abrasive substances. --- ## **6. Processing & Manufacturing Guidelines** * **Machinability (Annealed):** **Poor.** Requires rigid setups and premium carbide/CBN tooling. The uniform hardness of annealed PM steel is challenging. * **Grindability:** **Good.** A major advantage over wrought M4. Use CBN or aluminum oxide wheels designed for HSS. Consistent with proper coolant. * **EDM Machining:** Excellent. Preferred method for complex shapes. Post-EDM stress relief (180-200°C) recommended. * **Surface Treatments/Coatings:** An ideal substrate for advanced **PVD coatings (TiAlN, AlCrN, AlTiN)**. The high, stable base hardness allows coatings to perform at peak efficiency. --- ## **7. Comparative Performance & Selection Notes** | Criterion | **CPM Rex M4 HC** | **Standard AISI M4** | **CPM M4** | **Cobalt HSS (M42)** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Wear Resistance** | **Best** | Very Good | Excellent | Good | | **Hot Hardness** | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | **Best** | | **Hardness Potential** | **65-67 HRC** | 64-66 HRC | 64-66 HRC | 67-70 HRC | | **Toughness** | Good (for HSS) | Moderate | Very Good | Poor | | **Grindability** | **Good** | Very Poor | Good | Good | | **Primary Advantage** | **Max Wear in M4 Family** | Cost-Effective Severe Service | **Best Balance** | **Max Hot Hardness** | **When to Choose CPM Rex M4 HC:** 1. **Abrasive wear is the dominant failure mode** in cutting or forming, but hot hardness is still required. 2. You need **performance beyond standard or PM M4** without the brittleness and cost of cobalt super HSS (M42, M48). 3. Tools require **excellent grindability and polishability** for precision edges. 4. Machining **difficult aerospace materials (Ti, Ni-alloys)** where tool life with standard grades is insufficient. **Limitations:** - Not as **hot-hard as cobalt-containing grades** (M35, M42). - **Higher cost** than conventional HSS. - Requires **precise, high-temperature heat treatment**. --- ## **8. Conclusion** **Crucible CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) represents the optimization of M4 high-speed steel technology through advanced powder metallurgy and carbon tailoring.** It successfully targets the performance gap between standard M4 and more expensive cobalt-based or ultra-high-vanadium grades. It delivers: - **Enhanced wear resistance** for longer tool life in abrasive conditions. - **Superior grindability and toughness** compared to its wrought counterpart. - **The high hot hardness** required for modern machining processes. This steel is the **strategic choice for manufacturers pushing the limits of productivity and tool life when machining advanced, difficult-to-machine materials.** For applications where the total cost of ownership is measured by uptime, part quality, and tooling reliability, **CPM Rex M4 HC provides a premium, high-performance solution that justifies its cost through extended service life and consistent performance.** --- -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <5232 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. -: Crucible Steel CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Crucible Steel Capillary CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Crucible Steel Capillary CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Crucible Steel Capillary CPM® Rex M4 HC(HS) Tool Steel Capillary -:- 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 Capillary 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 1703 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