Bohler-Uddeholm,BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod/Bar

Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel** ## **Product Overview** **BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN®** is a premium-grade **cobalt-enriched, high-vanadium powder metallurgy (PM) super high-speed steel** manufactured using Böhler-Uddeholm's proprietary **MICROCLEAN®** technology. This advanced manufacturing process produces an exceptionally homogeneous microstructure characterized by ultra-fine, uniformly distributed carbides, completely eliminating the segregation and coarse carbide networks inherent in conventional ingot metallurgy. Engineered to deliver **extreme wear resistance, exceptional red hardness, and superior toughness balance**, S590 represents the pinnacle of Böhler-Uddeholm's PM high-speed steel technology, designed for machining the most challenging materials under severe cutting conditions where conventional high-speed steels fail prematurely. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Extreme Wear Resistance:** Exceptional resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear due to a very high volume of fine, hard vanadium carbides (VC), significantly outperforming conventional super high-speed steels like M42, M48, and T15. * **Outstanding Red Hardness (Hot Hardness):** High cobalt content enables excellent hardness retention at temperatures exceeding 620°C (1150°F), maintaining cutting edge integrity during high-speed and dry machining operations. * **Superior Toughness Balance:** The homogeneous PM microstructure provides exceptional toughness for its wear resistance class, reducing susceptibility to chipping and catastrophic failure in demanding applications. * **Excellent Grindability (for its performance level):** Remarkably good grindability compared to conventional steels with similar chemical composition, enabled by the fine, uniformly distributed carbide structure. * **Perfect Microstructural Homogeneity:** MICROCLEAN® technology ensures isotropic properties with no carbide segregation, providing consistent performance in all directions and predictable heat treatment response. * **Enhanced Thermal Fatigue Resistance:** Superior resistance to heat checking and thermal cracking under severe thermal cycling conditions. * **Superior Dimensional Stability:** Minimal and predictable distortion during heat treatment, critical for maintaining precision in complex tool geometries. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) | Cobalt (Co) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | **1.60 - 1.80** | **~3.0** | **~3.0** | **4.00 - 5.00** | **4.00 - 5.00** | **9.00 - 11.00** | **Note:** Exact proprietary composition is optimized within these ranges. The key feature is the balanced combination of **very high vanadium for wear resistance** and **very high cobalt for hot hardness**. **Alloying Rationale & MICROCLEAN® Advantage:** * **High Vanadium (4.5%):** Primary source of extreme wear resistance through formation of very hard vanadium carbides (VC). In conventional metallurgy, this level causes severe grindability issues. * **High Cobalt (10.0%):** Dramatically enhances red hardness by raising the transformation temperature and retarding secondary carbide coarsening at elevated temperatures. * **Balanced Tungsten & Molybdenum:** Provide the fundamental high-speed steel matrix for hot hardness and secondary hardening. * **High Carbon (1.70%):** Essential to balance the high vanadium content for optimal carbide formation without excessive retained austenite. * **MICROCLEAN® Technology Criticality:** This PM process is fundamental to S590's performance: * Gas atomization produces spherical powder with fine solidification structure * Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) ensures 100% density without porosity * Carbide size typically 1-3 μm (vs. 10-30 μm in conventional steel) * Complete chemical homogeneity throughout the material * Ultra-low oxygen content (<20 ppm) --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** 8.10 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** 22 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** 225 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** 10.5 × 10⁻⁶/K (20-400°C) * **Specific Heat Capacity:** 420 J/(kg·K) ### **Heat Treatment & Mechanical Data:** * **Soft Annealed Hardness:** 280-320 HBW * **Austenitizing Temperature:** 1180-1220°C (2155-2230°F) * **Quenching Medium:** Salt bath or high-pressure gas quenching (4-6 bar nitrogen) * **Tempering:** **Triple tempering mandatory.** Temperature range: 540-580°C (1005-1075°F) * **Achievable Hardness:** **68-71 HRC** * Typical operating hardness: **69-70 HRC** after triple tempering at 550-560°C * **Hot Hardness Performance:** * 600°C: 63-65 HRC * 650°C: 58-60 HRC * **Transverse Rupture Strength:** 3200-3500 MPa * **Impact Toughness (Charpy C):** 8-12 J (exceptional for its hardness level) * **Compressive Strength:** >4000 MPa * **Grindability Index:** 40-50% better than conventional steel with similar vanadium content --- ## **4. Primary Applications** S590 MICROCLEAN® is engineered for the most severe machining applications where both extreme wear resistance and maximum hot hardness are required simultaneously. * **Aerospace Component Manufacturing:** * Machining nickel-based superalloys (Inconel 718, 725, 738; Rene alloys; Waspaloy) * Titanium alloy machining at high speeds * Cobalt-based superalloys and refractory metals * **Energy Sector Applications:** * Turbine component machining * Hardened steel components for oil & gas industry * Nuclear component manufacturing * **Medical Device Manufacturing:** * Machining cobalt-chromium alloys (ASTM F75, F799) * Titanium medical implants * Surgical instrument production * **Automotive High-Performance Applications:** * Hard turning of hardened gear components (>55 HRC) * High-speed milling of tool steels * **Die & Mold Industry:** * Hard milling of pre-hardened mold steels (H13, P20 at 40-50 HRC) * Graphite electrode machining * **General Ultra-Hard Material Machining:** * Hardened steels (58-65 HRC) * Hard iron and chilled castings * Abrasive composites and metal matrix composites --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** As a proprietary PM super high-speed steel, S590 exceeds standard classification systems. Its performance benchmarks against the highest grades in multiple standards. | Category | Standard | Comparable Grade | Performance Comparison | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **PM Super HSS** | **Proprietary** | **S590 MICROCLEAN®** | Reference ultra-high-performance PM super HSS | | **AISI Super HSS** | **ASTM A600** | **Beyond T15 (A11)** | Higher combined V+Co with superior toughness via PM | | **ISO Super HSS** | **ISO 4957** | **HS2-9-1-8** | Approximate classification but with enhanced properties | | **European PM HSS** | **DIN** | **~1.3249 enhanced** | Similar classification but PM provides superior properties | | **Competitor PM** | **Various** | **CPM 10V, 15V** | Different metallurgical approach; S590 is true HSS with cobalt | | **Conventional Peak** | **AISI** | **M48, T15** | S590 offers 2-3x tool life in superalloy machining | **Performance Hierarchy:** S590 > T15 (conventional) > M48 > M42 > M2 in terms of combined wear resistance and hot hardness for superalloy machining. --- ## **6. Processing & Fabrication Guidelines** ### **Material Supply:** * **Forms Available:** Round bars (5-150mm), square bars, flat stock, custom preforms * **Quality Certification:** Full traceability with chemical analysis, microcleanliness report, ultrasonic testing * **Surface Condition:** Turned, ground, or black finish available ### **Machining (Annealed State):** * **Tooling:** Use premium carbide grades (K10-K20, P10-P20) or CBN for turning * **Parameters:** Moderate speeds (80-120 m/min), light to moderate feeds * **Coolant:** Emulsion or oil-based recommended * **Special Considerations:** The material work-hardens; maintain consistent chip load ### **Grinding Operations:** * **Wheel Selection:** Aluminum oxide (A46-J8-V) or CBN wheels recommended * **Parameters:** Conventional grinding: 25-30 m/s wheel speed * **Coolant:** High-pressure coolant essential (>15 bar) * **Best Practice:** Use softer grade wheels with frequent dressing ### **Heat Treatment Protocol:** 1. **Preheating:** 600-650°C (1-2 min/mm) + 850-900°C (1-2 min/mm) 2. **Austenitizing:** 1200±10°C (3-4 min/mm) in vacuum or protective atmosphere 3. **Quenching:** High-pressure gas (4-6 bar nitrogen) or salt bath 4. **Tempering:** Triple temper at 550-560°C for 2+2+2 hours (minimum) 5. **Cryogenic Treatment:** -196°C for 24 hours between 1st and 2nd temper (recommended) ### **Surface Enhancement:** * **PVD Coatings:** TiAlN, AlTiN, AlCrN, DLC (optimal substrate) * **CVD Coatings:** Limited application due to temperature constraints * **Surface Preparation:** Fine grinding (Ra 0.4-0.8 μm) optimal for coating adhesion ### **Quality Control:** * **Hardness Testing:** Rockwell C scale, verify at multiple locations * **Microstructure:** Check for uniform carbide distribution (ASTM E112) * **Dimensional:** Account for 0.15-0.25% growth during hardening --- ## **7. Technical Comparison & Selection Guide** ### **When to Select S590:** 1. **Material Difficulty:** Superalloys, hardened steels >55 HRC, titanium alloys 2. **Cutting Conditions:** High-speed (VC > 100 m/min), dry or minimal lubrication 3. **Tool Life Requirement:** >30 minutes cutting time in superalloys 4. **Process Stability:** Automated production where tool failure is unacceptable 5. **Part Quality:** High surface finish requirements (Ra < 0.8 μm) ### **Economic Justification Analysis:** | Metric | S590 vs. M42 | S590 vs. T15 | | :--- | :---: | :---: | | **Tool Life Improvement** | 3-5x | 1.5-2x | | **Cutting Speed Increase** | 30-50% | 15-25% | | **Downtime Reduction** | 60-70% | 30-40% | | **Part Quality Improvement** | Significant | Moderate | | **ROI Period** | 2-3 months | 4-6 months | ### **Limitations & Considerations:** * **Not recommended for** interrupted cuts with extreme impact * **Requires** specialized heat treatment facilities * **Higher initial cost** justified by performance benefits * **Best applied** in automated, high-value production environments --- ## **8. Industry-Specific Performance Data** ### **Aerospace (Inconel 718):** * **Cutting Speed:** 80-120 m/min (dry) * **Feed Rate:** 0.08-0.12 mm/tooth * **Tool Life:** 45-75 minutes (end mills) * **Surface Finish:** Ra 0.4-0.6 μm achievable ### **Medical (CoCr Alloys):** * **Cutting Speed:** 60-90 m/min * **Feed Rate:** 0.05-0.10 mm/tooth * **Tool Life:** 120-180 minutes * **Burr Formation:** Minimal ### **Die & Mold (H13 @ 48 HRC):** * **Cutting Speed:** 150-200 m/min * **Feed Rate:** 0.10-0.15 mm/tooth * **Tool Life:** 300-500% improvement over conventional HSS * **Corner Wear:** Dramatically reduced --- ## **9. Conclusion** **BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN®** represents the **absolute apex of high-speed steel technology**, combining extreme alloy design with state-of-the-art powder metallurgy manufacturing. It successfully breaks the traditional compromise between wear resistance, hot hardness, and toughness that has limited conventional high-speed steels for decades. For manufacturers operating at the technological frontier—whether in aerospace, medical, energy, or precision tooling—S590 provides not just an incremental improvement but a fundamental capability enhancement. It enables machining operations previously considered impractical or uneconomical, while providing exceptional reliability and consistency in high-value production environments. The investment in S590 is justified by **transformational improvements in productivity, tool life, and process capability**. It is the definitive choice when machining performance directly determines competitive advantage, when part quality is non-negotiable, and when conventional tooling solutions have reached their performance limits. In the hierarchy of cutting tool materials, S590 MICROCLEAN® stands as the pinnacle of high-speed steel technology, enabling manufacturing capabilities that define the future of precision machining. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6907 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 S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm BÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN® High Speed Steel Rod -:- 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 Rod 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 3378 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