Bohler-Uddeholm,UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Wire

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Wire Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Wire Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel** ## **Product Overview** **UDDEHOLM ELMAX®** is a premium **chromium-vanadium-molybdenum alloyed powder metallurgy (PM) stainless tool steel** renowned for its exceptional combination of **high wear resistance, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior polishability**. Manufactured via advanced powder metallurgy technology, ELMAX® achieves a homogeneous microstructure with a fine, uniform distribution of hard vanadium and chromium carbides. This proprietary PM process eliminates the segregation and large carbides common in conventionally cast stainless tool steels, resulting in isotropic properties, minimal distortion during heat treatment, and outstanding performance in demanding plastic molding and general tooling applications. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Exceptional Wear Resistance:** Superior to conventional stainless mold steels (e.g., AISI 420) due to a high volume of hard vanadium carbides, providing extended tool life against abrasive plastics. * **Excellent Corrosion Resistance:** High chromium content (approx. 18%) provides very good resistance to moisture, many chemicals, and corrosive plastic decomposition products (e.g., from PVC). * **Superb Polishability:** The uniform, fine carbide structure allows for an outstanding mirror finish (capable of achieving SPI A-1 / #1 Diamond finish), critical for optical and high-gloss plastic parts. * **High Compressive Strength & Hardness:** Achieves very high hardness (up to 62 HRC) with excellent dimensional stability. * **Good Toughness:** Offers better toughness than many high-carbon, high-chromium steels at equivalent hardness levels. * **Isotropic Properties:** Uniform behavior in all directions due to the homogeneous PM structure, ensuring predictable machining, etching (texturing), and performance. * **Good Dimensional Stability:** Minimal and predictable size change during hardening, ideal for precision tooling. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | **1.70** | **18.00** | **1.00** | **3.00** | **0.80** | **0.30** | **Alloying Rationale:** * **Carbon (1.70%) & Chromium (18.0%):** Form a high volume of hard, corrosion-resistant chromium carbides (M₇C₃ and M₂₃C₆). The high Cr content also ensures excellent stainless properties. * **Vanadium (3.00%):** The key element for wear resistance. Forms extremely hard vanadium carbides (VC) that are finely and uniformly distributed via PM process, providing exceptional abrasion resistance. * **Molybdenum (1.00%):** Enhances hardenability, promotes secondary hardening during tempering, and increases corrosion resistance, particularly against pitting. * **Silicon & Manganese:** Aid in deoxidation and contribute to hardenability. --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** ~7.7 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~20 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~210 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~10.3 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-100°C) ### **Heat Treatment & Mechanical Data:** * **Soft Annealed Hardness:** ~240 HBW * **Austenitizing Temperature:** 1050 - 1080°C (1920 - 1975°F) * **Quenching Medium:** Oil, salt bath, or pressurized gas (2-5 bar). * **Tempering Range:** 250 - 550°C (480 - 1020°F). **Double or triple tempering is mandatory.** * **Achievable Hardness:** **57 - 62 HRC** * **Optimal Range:** 58-60 HRC (tempered at 200-250°C) offers the best balance of wear resistance, polishability, and corrosion resistance for most mold applications. * Higher toughness can be achieved by tempering at 400-500°C, resulting in 54-57 HRC. * **Compressive Strength:** ~3200 MPa (at 60 HRC) * **Corrosion Resistance:** Comparable to AISI 440B/C stainless steel. Significantly better than standard tool steels. --- ## **4. Primary Applications** ELMAX® is the premier choice for high-performance plastic molds and other precision tooling requiring a blend of wear and corrosion resistance. * **Plastic Injection Molds:** * For **engineering plastics and abrasive composites** (glass-filled, mineral-filled, carbon fiber-reinforced polymers). * For **corrosive plastics** such as PVC, flame-retardant (FR) grades, and polyacetals. * **Optical lenses, light guides, and high-gloss parts** requiring a supreme mirror finish. * **Die Casting:** Ejector pins, cores, and inserts for aluminum and zinc, where resistance to soldering and corrosion is beneficial. * **Precision Cold Work Tooling:** Punches, dies, and forming tools for corrosive or abrasive sheet materials. * **Industrial Wear Parts:** Nozzles, screws, and barrels in extrusion where abrasion and corrosion are concurrent issues. * **Cutting and Slitting:** Blades for cutting corrosive or abrasive materials (e.g., coated papers, films, food products). --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** ELMAX® is a proprietary Uddeholm PM grade. There is no direct chemical or performance equivalent among standardized steels. | Category | Standard / Supplier | Grade | Similarity / Key Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **PM Stainless Tool Steel** | **Uddeholm Proprietary** | **ELMAX®** | The reference material. | | **Conventional Stainless Tool Steel** | **AISI / ASTM** | **440C** | Similar Cr content for corrosion resistance, but ELMAX has higher V/C for superior wear resistance and a uniform PM structure. | | **Conventional Stainless Mold Steel** | **AISI / Proprietary** | **420 Stainless (e.g., Stavax ESR)** | Less wear resistant, but easier to machine and polish. ELMAX is the high-wear, high-performance upgrade. | | **PM Cold Work Steel** | **Uddeholm** | **VANADIS Series (e.g., VANADIS 4 Extra)** | Higher wear resistance, but lower corrosion resistance. ELMAX bridges the gap between wear and corrosion. | | **PM Corrosion-Resistant Steel** | **Böhler** | **M333 / M340** | Other proprietary PM stainless grades, each with specific alloy balances for wear/corrosion. | **Note:** In technical datasheets, ELMAX® is often classified under **"PM High Chromium-Vanadium Stainless Tool Steel."** --- ## **6. Processing & Fabrication Guidelines** * **Machining:** Perform all heavy machining in the **soft-annealed condition**. It is more abrasive than conventional steels; use sharp, wear-resistant carbide tools and stable setups. * **Grinding:** Offers **good grindability for a high-alloy PM steel**. Use aluminum oxide or CBN wheels with ample cooling to avoid thermal damage. * **EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining):** Suitable. A **stress-relieving temper (e.g., 550°C)** is **highly recommended after EDM** to remove the brittle, transformed "white layer" and prevent micro-cracking, especially before polishing. * **Heat Treatment:** **Requires precise, controlled atmosphere or vacuum heat treatment** to prevent decarburization and oxidation. Preheating at 600°C and 850°C is essential. **Multiple tempering cycles (2-3) are critical** to achieve optimal properties, transform retained austenite, and ensure dimensional stability. Cryogenic treatment can be applied for maximum stability. * **Polishing & Texturing:** The homogeneous structure is ideal for polishing. Proceed systematically from coarse to fine diamond paste/compound. It is also excellent for photo-etching and laser texturing. * **Surface Treatment:** Can be further enhanced with **PVD coatings (TiN, CrN, DLC)** to reduce friction and prevent sticking/galling, especially useful for filled plastics. --- ## **7. Conclusion** **UDDEHOLM ELMAX®** represents a paradigm shift in stainless mold steel technology. By leveraging powder metallurgy, it successfully overcomes the traditional trade-off between corrosion resistance and wear resistance. For molders facing the dual challenges of abrasive fillers and corrosive polymers, or for those demanding the highest possible surface finish for optical applications, ELMAX® provides a single, high-performance solution that maximizes tool life, part quality, and productivity. It is the material of choice when upgrading from conventional 420-type stainless steels due to wear issues, or when seeking a corrosion-resistant alternative to high-wear PM cold work steels like the VANADIS series. For critical applications where tool failure is not an option, ELMAX® offers reliability, longevity, and superior finished part quality. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6883 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 ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM ELMAX® Powder Metallurgy Stainless Mold 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 3354 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