Bohler-Uddeholm,UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: ## **Böhler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® - Premium Powder Metallurgy Cold Work Tool Steel** ### **Overview** UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® is a state-of-the-art **powder metallurgy (PM) tool steel** designed for cold work applications demanding exceptional wear resistance, high compressive strength, and good toughness. Manufactured using advanced PM technology (ASEA-STORA process), it achieves an extremely uniform and fine carbide distribution, eliminating the segregation issues common in conventional steels. This results in superior isotropic properties, excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment, and outstanding polishability. VANADIS 4 EXTRA® represents the optimal balance between wear resistance and toughness in its hardness range, making it ideal for long-run, high-precision tooling. --- ### **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Exceptional Wear Resistance:** Superior to conventional high-chromium steels like D2 and D6, significantly extending tool life in abrasive applications. * **Excellent Toughness:** Offers remarkably high toughness for its level of wear resistance, reducing the risk of chipping and catastrophic failure. * **High Compressive Strength:** Withstands very high pressure and load conditions. * **Isotropic Properties:** Uniform behavior in all directions due to the homogeneous PM microstructure, ensuring predictable performance and minimal distortion. * **Superior Grindability & Polishability:** The fine, uniform carbide structure allows for easier grinding and the ability to achieve a superb mirror finish (≤ 1 µm Ra). * **Good Dimensional Stability:** Minimal size change during hardening and tempering, critical for precision tools. * **High Hardenability:** Can be fully hardened in large sections. --- ### **2. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** The composition is optimized for a high volume of hard, fine vanadium carbides (VC). | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | **1.4** | **4.7** | **3.5** | **3.7** | | **Key Role** | Carbide former, hardness | Hardness, corrosion resistance | Hardenability, secondary hardening | **Primary carbide former (VC) for extreme wear resistance** | *Note: Also contains small, controlled amounts of silicon (Si) and manganese (Mn).* --- ### **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** * **Density:** ~7.67 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~20 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~210 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~10.5 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-400°C) * **Typical Hardening & Tempering Data:** * **Austenitizing Temperature:** 1020 - 1100°C (1865 - 2010°F) * **Quenching:** Oil, salt bath, or pressurized gas (air). * **Tempering:** **Two or three tempering cycles are mandatory.** Recommended range: 500 - 550°C (930 - 1020°F). * **Achievable Hardness:** **62 - 66 HRC** (Maximum hardness is typically 66-67 HRC after cryogenic treatment). * **Impact Toughness (Charpy U-notch):** ~30 J at 62 HRC (significantly higher than conventional D2 at similar hardness). --- ### **4. Main Applications** VANADIS 4 EXTRA® is the premium choice for the most demanding cold work applications where tool life is limited by wear or minor chipping. * **Precision Blanking & Punching:** Progressive dies for electronic components, fine blanking dies, punches for high-strength steel. * **Forming & Drawing:** Cold forming dies, extrusion punches and dies, wire drawing cones for abrasive materials. * **Powder Compaction:** Punches and dies for metal powder compaction, especially for hard powders. * **Cutting & Slitting:** Knives for cutting abrasive materials like plastics, composites, paper, and magnetic strips. * **High-Wear Components:** Guide pins, wear plates, rolls, and mandrels subjected to severe abrasion. * **Plastic Molds:** For highly abrasive or corrosive plastics (e.g., filled polymers, PVC) requiring a mirror finish. --- ### **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** As a proprietary PM steel, VANADIS 4 EXTRA® does not have a direct, universally standardized equivalent. It is part of Uddeholm's proprietary VANADIS series. The closest comparisons are to other premium PM high-vanadium steels. | Category | Standard / Supplier | Grade | Similarity / Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **PM Tool Steel** | **Uddeholm Proprietary** | **VANADIS 6, VANADIS 10** | Same product family. Vanadis 6 has higher toughness, Vanadis 10 has higher wear resistance. | | **PM Tool Steel** | **Böhler / Uddeholm** | **K390, ELMAX** | Other PM grades. K390 has even higher wear resistance but lower toughness. ELMAX offers better corrosion resistance. | | **PM Tool Steel** | **Crucible (CPM)** | **CPM 10V** | Similar concept (very high V), but CPM 10V has higher V (~10%) and C, offering extreme wear resistance with lower toughness. | | **PM Tool Steel** | **Hitachi Metals** | **HAP10, HAP40** | Japanese PM high-speed steel types, often used in similar applications. | | **Conventional Steel** | **AISI / ASTM** | **D2, D6** | **Not equivalent.** VANADIS 4 EXTRA offers far superior wear resistance, toughness, and grindability at similar hardness levels. It is a direct upgrade replacement. | **Important Note:** It is most accurate to refer to it by its proprietary name **VANADIS 4 EXTRA®**. In technical specifications, it is often grouped with **"PM High Vanadium Cold Work Steel."** --- ### **6. Supply Form & Processing** * **Available Forms:** Precision ground flat stock, round bars, blocks, and custom pre-finished blanks. * **Machining:** Must be machined in the soft-annealed condition (~240 HBW). Use rigid setups and sharp, positive-geometry carbide tools. Its grindability is superior to conventional steels of similar wear resistance. * **Heat Treatment:** **Requires precise, controlled atmosphere or vacuum heat treatment.** Decarburization must be avoided. **Multiple tempering cycles (2-3 times)** are essential to achieve optimal properties and transform retained austenite. Cryogenic treatment can be applied to maximize hardness and dimensional stability. * **Surface Treatment:** Excellent candidate for PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coatings like TiN, TiCN, or AlCrN to further enhance performance. ### **Conclusion** UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® is a benchmark material in the world of high-performance cold work tool steels. By leveraging powder metallurgy technology, it successfully breaks the traditional compromise between wear resistance and toughness. For applications where conventional steels like D2 fall short due to wear, chipping, or poor grindability, VANADIS 4 EXTRA® provides a reliable, high-value solution that maximizes productivity through dramatically extended tool life and reduced unplanned downtime. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6873 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 VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 4 EXTRA® Powder Metallurgically Produced Tool Steel Wire -:- 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 Wire 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 3344 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