Bohler-Uddeholm,BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet,Plate For Cold Work Applications

Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet/Plate For Cold Work Applications Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet/Plate For Cold Work Applications Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel For Cold Work Applications Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel for Cold Work Applications** ## **Product Overview** **BÖHLER S601** is a **high-performance, tungsten-molybdenum-based high speed steel** specifically optimized for demanding cold work applications. As a modified and enhanced version of the classic AISI M2 grade, S601 delivers superior **red-hardness (hot hardness), wear resistance, and toughness** compared to standard M2, while maintaining excellent grindability. This material bridges the gap between conventional cold work steels and true high speed steels, offering exceptional performance for applications where tools experience moderate frictional heating or require extreme edge stability under pressure. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Enhanced Hot Hardness:** Superior to standard M2, maintaining cutting edge integrity at moderately elevated temperatures (up to 500-550°C). * **Excellent Wear Resistance:** Offers significantly better abrasion resistance than conventional cold work steels like D2 or A2. * **High Compressive Strength:** Withstands extreme pressure without deformation, ideal for forming and punching hard materials. * **Good Toughness:** Provides better resistance to chipping and cracking than many high-carbon, high-chromium cold work steels. * **Superior Grindability:** Despite its high hardness, exhibits better grinding characteristics than standard M2, reducing manufacturing time and cost. * **Good Dimensional Stability:** Controlled heat treatment response minimizes distortion. * **Balanced Alloy Design:** Optimized chemistry provides the best combination of properties for cold work applications requiring HSS performance. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) | Cobalt (Co) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | ~0.90 | ~6.00 | ~5.00 | ~4.00 | ~1.80 | - | **Key Alloying Rationale (vs. Standard M2):** * **Carbon (~0.90%):** Slightly optimized to balance hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. * **Tungsten & Molybdenum:** The classic 6-5-2 base provides a dense network of secondary hardening carbides for hot hardness and wear resistance. * **Vanadium (~1.80%):** Higher than standard M2 (~1.0%), forming very hard vanadium carbides (VC) that dramatically increase abrasion resistance—a critical feature for cold work against abrasive materials. * **No Cobalt:** Unlike true hot-work or high-speed grades (like M35/M42), S601 typically does not contain cobalt, focusing its property profile on cold applications where extreme red-hardness is not the primary need. This also improves grindability and controls cost. --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** ~8.10 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~25 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~215 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~11.0 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-400°C) ### **Heat Treatment & Mechanical Data:** * **Annealed Hardness:** ~240 HBW * **Austenitizing Temperature:** 1180 - 1220°C (2155 - 2230°F) * **Quenching Medium:** Salt bath, oil, or vacuum/pressurized gas. * **Tempering Range:** 540 - 580°C (1005 - 1075°F). **Multiple tempering cycles (2-3) are essential.** * **Achievable Hardness:** **63 - 66 HRC** * Higher tempering temperatures (~560-580°C) favor toughness for high-impact cold work. * Lower tempering temperatures (~540-550°C) maximize wear resistance and hot hardness. * **Hot Hardness:** Can maintain ~58-60 HRC at 500°C, a key advantage over cold work steels which soften rapidly above 200-300°C. * **Compressive Strength:** > 3500 MPa at 64 HRC. --- ## **4. Primary Applications** BÖHLER S601 is engineered for cold work applications where conventional tool steels fail due to wear, edge heating, or a need for higher hardness. * **High-Performance Punching & Blanking:** Progressive dies for abrasive materials (electrical steel, high-strength steel, composites). * **Cold Forming & Extrusion:** Punches, dies, and inserts for forming hard or abrasive metals. * **Shear Blades & Industrial Knives:** For cutting challenging materials like stainless steel, titanium, and advanced composites. * **Thread Rolling & Forming Dies:** For high-volume production of fasteners from hard materials. * **Powder Compaction Tools:** Punches and dies for compacting metal and ceramic powders. * **Precision Cutting Tools for Machining:** Used in certain demanding machining operations on hardened steels. * **Wear Parts Subject to Friction:** Components like guide rails, wear plates, and rolls where frictional heating occurs. --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** S601 is a proprietary Böhler-Uddeholm grade based on an enhanced M2 chemistry. | Standard | Grade / Designation | Similarity / Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **AISI / ASTM A600** | **M2 (Modified/High-Vanadium)** | S601 is a proprietary enhanced version with higher vanadium for better wear resistance. | | **DIN / Werkstoff** | **~1.3344 / HS6-5-2C** | The standard M2 equivalent; S601 offers superior properties. | | **ISO 4957** | **HS6-5-2** | The base ISO high-speed steel designation. | | **JIS G4403** | **SKH51** | The standard Japanese M2 equivalent. | | **Uddeholm/Böhler** | **S600 (Standard M2)** | S601 is the direct, enhanced successor or variant. | | **Other PM Grades** | **VANADIS 23, etc.** | For extreme wear, PM steels are superior, but S601 offers a cost-effective, high-performance conventional alternative. | **Important:** As a proprietary grade, **BÖHLER S601** should be specified by name. Its performance, particularly in wear resistance and grindability, is tailored to surpass that of generic "M2" or "M2 Special" materials. --- ## **6. Processing & Fabrication Guidelines** * **Machining:** Should be machined in the soft-annealed condition. Requires sharp carbide tools and stable setups due to its toughness and work-hardening tendency. * **Grinding:** **Good grindability for an HSS.** Use aluminum oxide or CBN wheels with proper cooling to avoid thermal damage (grinding burns). * **EDM:** Suitable. A stress-relieving temper is recommended after EDM to remove the affected surface layer. * **Heat Treatment:** **Requires precise, controlled atmosphere or vacuum heat treatment.** Decarburization must be prevented. Preheating is critical (typically at 800-850°C). **Multiple tempering cycles (2-3) are mandatory** to achieve full secondary hardening and transform retained austenite. Cryogenic treatment can be beneficial for maximum dimensional stability. * **Surface Treatment:** An excellent substrate for PVD coatings (TiN, TiAlN, AlCrN), which synergize with its hot hardness to further boost performance in severe applications. --- ## **7. Conclusion** **BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified)** is a strategically engineered material that successfully transplants the high-performance attributes of high-speed steel into the realm of demanding cold work. By optimizing the classic M2 composition—primarily through increased vanadium—it delivers a remarkable balance of wear resistance, hot hardness, and toughness that surpasses conventional cold work steels. It is the ideal choice for applications that have outgrown the capabilities of D2 or A2 due to excessive wear or edge breakdown from frictional heating, but where the full red-hardness of cobalt-containing HSS grades or the extreme cost of PM steels is not justified. For toolmakers seeking a robust, reliable, and high-performance conventional steel solution for the most challenging cold work tasks, S601 represents a superior and proven choice. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel For Cold Work Applications Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6881 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. -: Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel For Cold Work Applications Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet,Plate For Cold Work Applications -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet,Plate For Cold Work Applications -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S601 (M2 Modified) High Speed Steel Sheet/Plate For Cold Work Applications -:- 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 3352 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