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

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

Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 High Carbon Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: ## **Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 High Carbon Powder Metallurgy High-Speed Steel (ASTM M4)** ### **Product Overview** Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 is a premium-grade, high-carbon, high-vanadium molybdenum-based high-speed steel (HSS) produced via advanced powder metallurgy (PM) technology. As an enhanced version of conventional M4 tool steel, the PM process provides a perfectly uniform, fine-grained, and isotropic microstructure free from carbide segregation. This results in a material that delivers superior grindability, enhanced toughness in all orientations, improved wear resistance, and greater dimensional stability during heat treatment compared to its ingot-cast counterpart. DuraTech™ M4 is specifically engineered for applications demanding an exceptional balance of high wear resistance (from its substantial vanadium carbide content) and good toughness, along with the essential red-hardness characteristic of high-speed steels. It is often considered the benchmark for performance in severe cold work and semi-hot work tooling. --- ### **Chemical Composition (Typical Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | 1.30 - 1.40 | 5.25 - 6.50 | 4.25 - 5.50 | 3.75 - 4.75 | 3.75 - 4.75 | *This composition is balanced to provide a high volume of hard, wear-resistant vanadium carbides (MC-type) while maintaining the necessary matrix toughness and hot hardness from tungsten and molybdenum.* --- ### **Key Physical & Mechanical Properties** * **Superior Wear Resistance:** Significantly higher than conventional M2 or M3 Class 2 HSS due to its higher vanadium and carbon content, offering excellent performance against abrasive materials. * **Enhanced Toughness & Transverse Strength:** The PM process eliminates coarse carbide stringers, resulting in up to twice the transverse rupture strength and improved impact toughness compared to conventional M4, especially in the transverse direction. * **Excellent Red Hardness (Hot Hardness):** Maintains a high degree of hardness at elevated temperatures (up to ~525°C / 977°F), allowing for use in applications generating friction heat. * **High Compressive Strength:** Suitable for high-pressure forming and cutting operations. * **Isotropic Behavior:** Uniform mechanical and physical properties in all directions, ensuring predictable performance for complex tools. * **Improved Machinability & Grindability:** The fine, uniform carbide structure makes it easier to machine in the annealed state and significantly easier to grind in the hardened state than conventional M4, reducing manufacturing time and cost. *Note: Typical achievable service hardness is **62-66 HRC**. Final properties are dependent on the specific heat treatment cycle.* --- ### **Heat Treatment Guidelines** * **Annealing:** Heat to 1550-1650°F (843-899°C), slow furnace cool. Typical annealed hardness: 240-270 HB. * **Stress Relieving:** 1100-1300°F (593-704°C) after rough machining. * **Preheating:** Double preheat at 1500°F (815°C) and 1850°F (1010°C) is strongly recommended. * **Austenitizing (Hardening):** Temperature range: **2175-2235°F (1190-1223°C)**. Precise control is critical. Use a protective atmosphere or salt bath. * **Quenching:** Quench in **salt, oil, or gas (high-pressure gas quenching is optimal for minimal distortion)**. Air cooling is possible for very small, simple sections. * **Tempering:** **Must be tempered multiple times (2-4 times).** Temper immediately after quenching. The primary tempering range is **1025-1050°F (552-566°C)** for maximum secondary hardness (64-66 HRC). For applications prioritizing toughness, tempering at 1050-1100°F (566-593°C) is an option, with a slight reduction in hardness. --- ### **Primary Applications** DuraTech™ M4 is the material of choice for demanding tooling where wear is a primary concern but the extreme brittleness of higher-vanadium steels (like A11) is unacceptable. Applications include: * **High-Performance Cutting Tools:** Gear hobs, milling cutters, broaches, and form tools for machining tough alloys (e.g., titanium, Inconel, hardened steels). * **Severe Cold Work Tooling:** Punches, dies, and forming tools for high-strength steels, stainless steels, and abrasive non-ferrous materials. * **Precision Blanking and Piercing Dies:** For high-volume production of challenging materials. * **Roll Forming Rolls and Thread Rolling Dies.** * **Extrusion Tools** for metals and plastics. * **Knives and Slitters** in metal processing and for cutting advanced composites. --- ### **International Standards & Cross-References** * **ASTM:** **A600 M4 (PM)** - This is the direct standard specification. * **UNS:** T11304 * **AISI/SAE:** M4 (PM version) * **European (EN):** HS6-5-4 / **1.3344 (PM)** (The PM version is a superior equivalent to the standard 1.3344). * **ISO:** HS6-5-4 * **Common Trade Name:** Widely known as **CPM M4**. * **Other Manufacturers:** Similar PM M4 grades are available globally (e.g., **Böhler S590 PM**, **Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra**, **Daido DEX M4**). --- ### **Why Choose Latrobe DuraTech™ M4?** Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 offers a proven, cost-effective performance upgrade for tooling suffering from premature wear. By combining the wear resistance approaching that of more brittle specialty steels with the toughness and manufacturability of premium HSS, it extends tool life dramatically, reduces machine downtime, and lowers the cost per produced part. Its PM pedigree guarantees consistency and reliability, making it an industry-standard solution for severe applications. *For specific application engineering support, detailed property data, or certified heat treatment guidelines, please consult Latrobe Specialty Metals or an authorized distributor.* -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 High Carbon Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <5366 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 High Carbon Powder Metal High Speed Steel (ASTM M4) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

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

Packing of Latrobe DuraTech™ M4 High Carbon 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 1837 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