Bohler-Uddeholm,UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Tube,Pipe

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Tube Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Tube Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Datasheet: Böhler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Powder Metallurgy Cold Work Tool Steel** ## **Product Overview** **UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6** is a premium **powder metallurgy (PM) cold work tool steel** renowned for its **exceptional combination of high wear resistance and good toughness**. Positioned within the esteemed VANADIS family, this grade utilizes advanced powder metallurgy manufacturing to achieve a microstructure with **fine, uniformly distributed vanadium carbides** in a tough matrix. VANADIS 6 is engineered for applications where conventional tool steels fail due to abrasive wear, but where some degree of impact resistance remains essential. ## **Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **Excellent Wear Resistance:** High volume of fine, hard vanadium carbides provides superior resistance to abrasive wear. - **Good Toughness:** Maintains better impact resistance than many high-wear conventional steels (e.g., D2, D6) at equivalent hardness levels. - **Superior Dimensional Stability:** Minimal and predictable distortion during heat treatment. - **Good Grindability and Polishability:** The PM microstructure allows for better grinding characteristics and finer surface finishes than ingot-cast equivalents. - **Uniform Properties:** Consistent performance throughout the material cross-section with no carbide segregation. - **Deep Hardenability:** Can be through-hardened in substantial sections. - **Good Resistance to Pressure:** High compressive strength suitable for forming applications. ## **Standard Specifications & International Designations** | **Standard** | **Designation** | **Notes** | |--------------|-----------------|-----------| | **Böhler-Uddeholm** | **UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6** | Proprietary PM grade | | **Manufacturing Process** | **Powder Metallurgy (VMR Process)** | Vanadium-rich, modified chemistry | | **AISI/ASTM Equivalent** | **No direct equivalent** | Superior to conventional high-vanadium steels | | **DIN/EN Equivalent** | **~1.2379 (Enhanced PM Version)** | Exceeds standard D2 properties | | **Material Category** | **PM Cold Work Tool Steel** | High wear resistance class | | **Comparable Performance** | **Between VANADIS 4 and VANADIS 10** | Balances wear and toughness | ## **Chemical Composition (Typical, Weight %)** | Element | Content (%) | Primary Function | Metallurgical Benefit | |---------|-------------|------------------|----------------------| | **Carbon (C)** | **2.10** | Carbide formation & matrix hardening | Provides high hardness and wear resistance base. | | **Chromium (Cr)** | **6.80** | Hardenability & corrosion resistance | Ensures deep hardening and provides moderate corrosion resistance. | | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | **1.50** | Secondary hardening & hot strength | Enhances tempering resistance and toughness. | | **Vanadium (V)** | **5.40** | **Primary MC carbide formation** | **Key element for extreme wear resistance.** Forms numerous fine, hard VC carbides. | | **Silicon (Si)** | **0.50** | Deoxidizer & matrix strengthener | Improves cleanliness and contributes to matrix strength. | | **Manganese (Mn)** | **0.40** | Hardenability | Aids in processing stability. | | **Iron (Fe)** | **Balance** | Matrix | Structural base. | ***Special Note:** The **high vanadium content (5.4%)** combined with a balanced carbon level results in a high volume fraction of fine, hard vanadium carbides (VC), which are the primary source of its exceptional wear resistance. The powder metallurgy process ensures these carbides are uniformly distributed, preventing the large, segregated carbides found in ingot-cast high-vanadium steels.* ## **Microstructural Characteristics** | Feature | Specification | Benefit | |---------|---------------|---------| | **Primary Carbides** | **Fine MC-type (Vanadium Carbides)** | Extreme abrasion resistance. | | **Carbide Size** | Typically 1-3 μm | Fine carbides improve toughness relative to wear resistance. | | **Carbide Distribution** | **Homogeneous, no segregation** | Consistent properties, predictable performance. | | **Carbide Volume Fraction** | High (~15-20%) | Directly correlates to high wear resistance. | | **Matrix** | Tempered martensite | Provides the necessary toughness and support for the hard carbides. | | **Microcleanliness** | Very High (PM advantage) | Excellent fatigue and fracture resistance. | ## **Typical Heat Treatment** ### **1. Soft Annealing** - **Temperature:** **850-900°C (1562-1652°F)** - **Cooling:** Slow furnace cool (approx. 10°C/hour) to 600°C, then air cool. - **Annealed Hardness:** **240-280 HB** - **Purpose:** Provides optimal condition for machining. ### **2. Stress Relieving** - **Temperature:** **600-650°C (1112-1202°F)** - **Duration:** 2 hours per 25 mm thickness. - **Application:** After rough machining, prior to hardening. ### **3. Hardening** 1. **Preheating:** Two-stage is crucial. * First stage: **500-550°C (932-1022°F)** * Second stage: **800-850°C (1472-1562°F)** 2. **Austenitizing:** **1100-1150°C (2012-2102°F)** * **Standard:** **1120-1130°C (2048-2066°F)** * **Maximum Wear Resistance:** **1140-1150°C (2084-2102°F)** * **Enhanced Toughness:** **1100-1110°C (2012-2030°F)** 3. **Soaking Time:** 30-45 minutes (depending on section size). 4. **Quenching:** Cool in **still air or forced air**. For complex shapes, interrupted oil quenching or high-pressure gas quenching is possible. ### **4. Tempering** - **Mandatory:** **Immediate tempering** after cooling to 50-70°C (122-158°F). - **Cycles:** **Triple tempering is strongly recommended.** - **Temperature Range:** **500-575°C (932-1067°F)** - **Typical Practice:** **525-550°C (977-1022°F) for 2 hours, triple cycle.** - **Hardness Profile:** * 500°C (932°F): **64-66 HRC** * 525°C (977°F): **63-65 HRC** * 550°C (1022°F): **62-64 HRC** * 575°C (1067°F): **60-62 HRC** ### **5. Cryogenic Treatment (Optional but Beneficial)** - **Recommended for** maximizing dimensional stability and transforming retained austenite. - **Temperature:** -70°C to -80°C (-94°F to -112°F). - **Timing:** Perform after quenching, before the first temper. - **Duration:** 2-4 hours. ## **Physical Properties** | Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | |----------|-------|------|------------| | **Density** | 7.6 | g/cm³ | At 20°C | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 210 | GPa | At 20°C | | **Thermal Expansion Coefficient** | 10.2 | ×10⁻⁶/K | 20-100°C | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 18.5 | W/(m·K) | At 20°C | | **Specific Heat Capacity** | 460 | J/(kg·K) | At 20°C | ## **Mechanical Properties (Hardened & Tempered)** *Condition: 1125°C Austenitized / 525°C Triple Tempered* | Property | Value Range | Unit | Notes | |----------|-------------|------|-------| | **Hardness** | **63-65** | HRC | Very high hardness level. | | **Compressive Strength** | ~3400 | MPa | Excellent for high-pressure applications. | | **Transverse Rupture Strength** | ~3800 | MPa | Good resistance to bending/fracture. | | **Impact Toughness (Charpy V)** | **20-30** | J | **Good for its wear resistance level** – better than ingot-cast equivalents. | ### **Wear Resistance Comparison (Relative)** - **Abrasive Wear:** 3-4 times better than conventional **D2** steel. - **Adhesive/Galling Wear:** Significantly better than high-speed steels like **M2**. ## **Primary Applications** VANADIS 6 is ideal for cold work applications where wear is the dominant failure mode, but complete brittleness cannot be tolerated. ### **1. Blanking, Punching, and Shearing** - **Fineblanking Dies** for high-strength or abrasive materials. - **Progressive Dies** for long production runs requiring minimal tool maintenance. - **Precision Punches** for hardened steel or non-ferrous alloys. - **Shear Blades** for abrasive strips or composite materials. ### **2. Forming and Extruding** - **Cold Forming Tools** for parts that cause significant die wear. - **Thread Rolling Dies** for high-performance or hardened fasteners. - **Extrusion Dies** for metals or plastics with abrasive fillers. - **Knurling Tools** requiring sharp, durable edges. ### **3. Plastic & Rubber Molding** - **Injection Molds** for highly abrasive plastics: - **Glass-filled polymers** (long or short fiber). - **Mineral-filled compounds**. - **Engineering plastics** like PEEK, PPS with fillers. - **Compression Molds** for abrasive rubber compounds. - **Extrusion Dies** for filled polymers. ### **4. Other Specialized Applications** - **Wear Parts** in machinery subject to abrasive conditions. - **Guides and Bushings** in high-wear environments. - **Precision Knives** for cutting abrasive materials. - **Tooling for Powder Metallurgy** part production. ## **Processing Guidelines** ### **Machining** - **Perform all major machining in the annealed condition** (~260 HB). - **Use carbide tools** for productive machining. HSS tools will wear quickly. - **Recommended parameters:** Lower speeds, moderate feeds, positive rake angles. - **Coolant:** Use generously to control heat and extend tool life. ### **Grinding** - The PM structure offers **better grindability** than ingot-cast steels of similar hardness. - Use **CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) or diamond wheels** for best results and productivity. - **Aluminum oxide wheels** can be used but will wear faster. - Always use **ample coolant** to prevent thermal cracking (grinding burns). ### **Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)** - Suitable for both wire and sinker EDM. - The uniform structure provides consistent erosion rates. - **Post-EDM stress relieving** (e.g., at 180-200°C) is recommended to remove the tensile stresses from the white layer. ### **Welding** - **Not recommended** for tool repair due to the high alloy and carbon content, which creates a high risk of cracking. - If welding is unavoidable, it requires extreme caution: high preheat (400-450°C), specialized filler metals, and a full re-hardening cycle afterward. ### **Surface Treatments** - **Nitriding:** Can be applied to further increase surface hardness, but the core material is already very hard. - **PVD Coatings (TiN, TiCN, AlCrN):** Excellent substrate for coatings, which can provide additional performance gains for specific wear mechanisms (e.g., reduced galling). ## **Comparative Performance within the VANADIS Family** | Grade | Vanadium Content | Key Characteristic | Best For | |-------|-----------------|-------------------|----------| | **VANADIS 4** | ~4% | **Best balance** of wear and toughness. | Versatile high-performance cold work. | | **VANADIS 6** | **~5.4%** | **Higher wear resistance** than V4, good toughness. | Applications where wear is primary concern but some impact exists. | | **VANADIS 10** | ~9.8% | **Extreme wear resistance**, lower toughness. | Most abrasive applications, where impact is minimal. | ## **Quality & Availability** - **Forms:** Typically supplied as precision ground flat stock, rounds, or blocks. - **Quality:** The PM process ensures high purity and homogeneity. Ultrasonic testing is standard for critical dimensions. - **Certification:** Supplied with a 3.1 material certificate (EN 10204). ## **Economic Considerations** - **Cost:** Premium material, significantly more expensive than conventional tool steels like D2 or A2. - **Value Justification:** The cost is justified by **greatly extended tool life** (often 3-10x), **reduced downtime** for tool changes/repairs, and **improved part quality** in demanding applications. - **Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):** In the right application, the TCO is often lower despite the higher initial price. --- **Disclaimer:** UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 is a high-performance material that requires appropriate heat treatment and machining practices to achieve its optimal properties. Consultation with Böhler-Uddeholm technical experts is recommended for critical applications. The information provided here is for guidance; always refer to the latest official technical datasheets for specific processing parameters. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6866 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 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm UDDEHOLM VANADIS 6 Cold Work Tool 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 3337 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