Bohler-Uddeholm,UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube,Pipe

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel** ## **Product Overview** **UDDEHOLM CORRAX®** is a revolutionary **precipitation hardening (PH) stainless mold steel** that uniquely combines **exceptional corrosion resistance with high strength and excellent dimensional stability**. Unlike conventional tool steels that require high-temperature quenching, CORRAX® achieves its final properties through a low-temperature aging treatment (approximately 500°C/930°F) after solution annealing. This process results in minimal distortion, making it ideally suited for manufacturing highly complex, close-tolerance molds and components, particularly in corrosive environments or for plastics that release aggressive decomposition products. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Superior Corrosion Resistance:** Excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, comparable to many stainless steels (e.g., 17-4 PH). * **Minimal Distortion:** Low-temperature aging treatment (<550°C) after machining causes negligible size change (typically <0.05%), allowing for "machine-then-harden" production of intricate parts. * **High Strength and Hardness:** Achieves a typical hardness of **42-48 HRC** after aging, providing excellent wear resistance and polishability. * **Excellent Polishability and Texturing:** Can be polished to a superb mirror finish (A1/A2) and is highly suitable for various texturing processes (EDM, laser, chemical). * **Good Machinability:** Offers very good machinability in the soft, solution-annealed condition (~30 HRC), significantly easier than pre-hardened tool steels of similar hardness. * **Good Weldability:** Can be repaired or modified using standard welding techniques for mold steels. * **Thermal Conductivity:** Higher than many conventional tool steels, improving cycle times in molding applications. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Nickel (Ni) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Aluminum (Al) | Copper (Cu) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | ≤ 0.03 | 11.5 - 13.5 | 8.5 - 10.5 | 1.30 - 1.70 | 0.80 - 1.30 | 1.30 - 1.70 | **Alloying Rationale:** * **Low Carbon (<0.03%):** Minimizes carbide formation, maximizing corrosion resistance and improving machinability and weldability. * **Chromium (12.5%):** Provides the primary corrosion resistance by forming a passive oxide layer. * **Nickel (9.5%) & Aluminum (1.0%):** The primary precipitation hardening system. During aging, the formation of NiAl intermetallic particles (Ni₃Al) strengthens the matrix. * **Molybdenum (1.5%):** Enhances corrosion resistance, particularly against chlorides, and contributes to strength. * **Copper (1.5%):** Provides additional precipitation hardening and improves corrosion resistance in certain media. --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** ~7.8 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~25 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~190 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~10.5 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-100°C) * **Magnetic Properties:** Slightly magnetic in aged condition. ### **Heat Treatment & Mechanical Data:** * **Solution Annealed Condition (Delivery):** Hardness ~30 HRC. **All machining and EDM should be completed in this state.** * **Aging Treatment:** Heat to **500 - 520°C (930 - 970°F)** for 2-4 hours per inch of thickness, then air cool. * **Final Hardness (Aged):** **42 - 48 HRC** (Typically 44-46 HRC is specified for mold applications). * **0.2% Yield Strength:** ~1250 MPa (at 44 HRC) * **Tensile Strength:** ~1400 MPa (at 44 HRC) * **Impact Toughness (Charpy V):** ~35 J (at 44 HRC) * **Dimensional Change:** Typically +0.03% to +0.05% after aging. --- ## **4. Primary Applications** CORRAX® is the material of choice for complex, high-precision molds and components operating in corrosive environments. * **Plastic Injection Molds:** * For PVC, flame-retardant plastics, polyacetals, and other plastics releasing corrosive acids (HCl, HF, acetic acid). * Molds for polyurethane (PU) processing. * Optical lens molds requiring supreme polishability and no risk of rust. * **Aerospace & Chemical Components:** Valves, fittings, and pump parts exposed to corrosive media. * **Medical Device Molds:** For implants and devices requiring biocompatible, corrosion-resistant tooling. * **Food & Packaging Industry Molds:** Where corrosion resistance and easy cleaning are critical. * **Die Casting:** Ejector pins and cores for aluminum and magnesium, where soldering and corrosion can be issues. * **General Precision Engineering:** Components requiring high strength, stability, and corrosion resistance after complex machining. --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** CORRAX® is a proprietary alloy. The closest generic equivalents are other precipitation hardening stainless steels, though none offer the identical combination of properties tailored for mold making. | Standard | Grade / Designation | Similarity / Key Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Proprietary (Uddeholm)** | **CORRAX®** | The reference material with optimized mold-making properties. | | **UNS / AISI** | **S17400 (17-4 PH)** | Similar corrosion class and PH mechanism. CORRAX has lower C, different hardening system (Ni-Al vs. Cu), better polishability, and is specifically engineered for mold performance. | | **DIN / Werkstoff** | **1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4)** | The European 17-4 PH variant. Same key differences as above apply. | | **Other PH Stainless** | **Custom 450, 455** | Similar alloy family, but CORRAX composition is unique. | | **Stainless Tool Steel** | **M300 / M310 Series** | Other stainless mold steels (e.g., Stavax). These are typically martensitic stainless steels hardened by quenching, not precipitation hardening, leading to greater distortion. | --- ## **6. Processing & Fabrication Guidelines** * **Machining:** Perform **all heavy machining, drilling, and EDM in the soft, solution-annealed condition (~30 HRC)**. It machines similarly to a pre-hardened 300-series stainless steel. Use sharp carbide tools with positive rake angles and good coolant. * **Aging (Hardening):** Conduct aging **only after all machining and EDM are complete**. The process is simple: heat uniformly to 500-520°C, hold, and air cool. No rapid quenching or special atmospheres are typically required. Stress relieving is not needed afterward. * **Finishing:** After aging, only light finishing (polishing, texturing) should be done. It offers **excellent polishability** directly to a mirror finish. * **Welding:** Use matching or similar PH stainless filler wire (e.g., 17-4 PH). Pre-heat is generally not required. The welded area will be softened and must be re-aged to restore full hardness and corrosion resistance. * **Corrosion Performance:** For maximum corrosion resistance, a **passivation treatment** (e.g., nitric acid) is recommended after the final polishing and cleaning. --- ## **7. Conclusion** **UDDEHOLM CORRAX®** is a groundbreaking material that fundamentally simplifies the manufacturing of high-performance, corrosion-resistant molds. Its unique precipitation hardening mechanism allows for complete machining of intricate geometries in a soft state, followed by a simple, low-distortion aging process to achieve final properties. This eliminates the risks and costs associated with heat treatment distortion, secondary machining of hardened steel, and potential scrapping of complex parts. For mold makers facing challenges from corrosive plastics, demanding optical surface finishes, or the need for extreme dimensional accuracy in stainless tooling, CORRAX® provides a reliable, efficient, and high-performance solution unmatched by conventional quench-hardened stainless or tool steels. It represents a superior choice where corrosion resistance, dimensional stability, and manufacturability are paramount. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6882 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 UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM CORRAX® Precipitation Hardening Stainless Mold Steel Tube -:- 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 Tube 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 3353 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