Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4)

Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: ## **Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel** ### **Product Overview** Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 represents the pinnacle of modern high-speed steel technology, produced via advanced **Powder Metallurgy (PM)** processes to meet and exceed the ASTM A600 standard for M4 grade. This manufacturing method overcomes the limitations of conventional ingot metallurgy, resulting in a material with a perfectly uniform, fine, and isotropic microstructure. This unique structure endows DuraTech™ M4 with exceptional **wear resistance**, superior **toughness**, and excellent **grindability**—properties that are often mutually exclusive in traditional high-speed steels. It is engineered for the most demanding applications where tool life, precision, and reliability are paramount. ### **Key Features & Benefits** * **Unmatched Microstructural Uniformity:** The PM process eliminates carbide segregation and banding, ensuring consistent properties in all directions and across all cross-sections. * **Exceptional Wear Resistance:** Very high vanadium content combined with a fine, uniform dispersion of hard MC-type carbides provides outstanding resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear. * **Superior Toughness:** The absence of large, brittle carbide networks significantly enhances toughness and resistance to chipping and micro-fractures, even at high hardness levels. * **Excellent Grindability:** Despite its high vanadium content, the fine, rounded carbides in the PM structure allow for easier and more predictable grinding, enabling the production of sharper, more complex cutting edges. * **Enhanced Dimensional Stability:** The isotropic nature minimizes distortion during heat treatment, crucial for manufacturing precision tools and components. ### **International Standard & Designations** * **Primary Standard:** **ASTM A600-92a (R2023):** Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed. * **Grade:** **M4** (PM / Particle Metallurgy variant) * **Common Manufacturing Process Designation:** **ASP® 2023** (Höganäs equivalent), **Vanadis 4** (Uddeholm equivalent) – Note: These are commercial equivalents from other PM steel producers. * **Unified Numbering System (UNS):** **T11304** * **Common International Equivalents (Ingot-based, for reference):** * **ISO:** **HS 6-5-4-2** * **Germany (DIN/W-Nr.):** **1.3344 / S 6-5-4** ### **Chemical Composition (%, typical)** The high-carbon, high-vanadium chemistry of M4 is fully realized through PM technology. | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Chromium (Cr) | Cobalt (Co) | Iron (Fe) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1.25 - 1.40 | 5.25 - 6.50 | 4.00 - 5.50 | 3.75 - 4.75 | 3.75 - 4.75 | ≤ 1.00 | Balance | *Note:* The high vanadium content (>4%) is a hallmark of this grade, providing its exceptional wear resistance. ### **Physical & Mechanical Properties (Typical)** | Property | Value / Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Density** | 8.10 g/cm³ (0.293 lb/in³) | | **Hardness (Annealed)** | ≤ 280 HB (Brinell) | | **Hardness (Heat Treated)** | **64 - 66 HRC** (Typical optimal working range, with high toughness)
**Up to 67-68 HRC** (Achievable for maximum wear resistance) | | **Austenitizing Temperature** | 1175 - 1210°C (2150 - 2210°F) | | **Tempering Temperature** | 540 - 580°C (1000 - 1075°F) (Minimum of two, typically three tempers required) | | **Transverse Rupture Strength** | Very high for its hardness class, a direct benefit of the PM microstructure. | ### **Product Applications** Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 is the material of choice for high-performance tools subject to severe abrasive wear and demanding cutting conditions. * **Precision Cutting Tools:** * High-performance end mills (for hardened steels, titanium, superalloys) * Gear hobs and shaper cutters (for high-volume, precision gear manufacturing) * Broaches (especially for abrasive materials) * Inserts and form tools for turning and milling * * Thread rolling and forming dies (where wear resistance is critical) * **Cold Work Tooling:** * High-wear blanking and punching dies (for abrasive sheet metals, e.g., silicon steel, composites) * Precision cold heading dies and punches * Slitter knives for tough materials * **Target Workpiece Materials:** * Abrasive alloys and high-strength steels (HRc > 45) * Stainless steels (especially work-hardening grades) * Nickel-based and cobalt-based superalloys (e.g., Inconel, Hastelloy) * Titanium alloys * Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) and other abrasive cast irons ### **Processing Notes** * **Heat Treatment:** PM steels respond very well to standard HSS heat treatment cycles but benefit from precise temperature control. Vacuum or atmosphere furnaces are mandatory to prevent decarburization. The fine microstructure allows for slightly lower austenitizing temperatures compared to ingot M4. * **Grinding & Machining:** Exhibits significantly better grindability than conventional M4 of equivalent hardness due to its fine carbide structure. Use sharp, premium grinding wheels with appropriate feeds and speeds. * **Availability:** Supplied as fully annealed, spheroidize-annealed bars, billets, or near-net-shape preforms. The PM process allows for the production of larger cross-sections without property degradation. ### **Disclaimer** This information is for descriptive and informational purposes only. Properties can vary based on specific production lot, heat treatment parameters, and final part geometry. It is the responsibility of the end-user to validate the material's suitability for their specific application and to conduct appropriate testing under actual operating conditions. Always consult the latest official Latrobe Specialty Steel technical data sheets and processing guidelines. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <5344 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 DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) -:- 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 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 1815 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