UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Tube,Pipe

UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Tube Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Tube Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **UNS T87520 Molybdenum High-Speed Tool Steel** **International Standard:** UNS (Unified Numbering System) / AISI/SAE (USA) --- ## **1. Overview** **UNS T87520** is a **molybdenum-cobalt-vanadium high-speed tool steel** representing a specialized grade within the high-performance segment of high-speed steels (HSS). Characterized by its **exceptional combination of high hardness, superior red hardness, and excellent wear resistance**, this steel is designed for the most demanding machining applications involving high-strength, heat-resistant, and abrasive materials. The UNS T87520 designation corresponds to a proprietary or specialized molybdenum-type HSS variant, typically featuring elevated cobalt and vanadium content for enhanced high-temperature performance. --- ## **2. Chemical Composition (Typical Weight %)** | Element | Content (%) | | :------ | :---------- | | C | 1.25–1.40 | | Si | 0.15–0.50 | | Mn | 0.15–0.40 | | Cr | 3.75–4.50 | | Mo | 8.50–10.00 | | W | 1.25–2.25 | | V | 3.00–3.75 | | Co | 8.00–10.00 | | P (max) | 0.030 | | S (max) | 0.030 | **Balance:** Iron (Fe). **Key Characteristics:** UNS T87520 features an **ultra-high alloy composition** optimized for extreme performance: - **Very high carbon (1.25–1.40%)** to match the high vanadium content and ensure adequate matrix hardness - **High molybdenum (8.50–10.00%)** as the primary matrix strengthener and carbide former - **Very high vanadium (3.00–3.75%)** for exceptional wear resistance through hard vanadium carbides (VC) - **High cobalt (8.00–10.00%)** for superior red hardness and thermal conductivity - **Moderate tungsten (1.25–2.25%)** as a supplementary alloying element - This composition represents the **pinnacle of conventional molybdenum HSS metallurgy**, pushing the boundaries of wear resistance and hot hardness --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties** - **Density:** ~8.05 g/cm³ - **Thermal Conductivity:** **Excellent** – ~28–32 W/m·K (at 20°C), enhanced by cobalt content - **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~11.2 ×10⁻⁶ /K (20–500°C) - **Specific Heat Capacity:** ~0.46 kJ/kg·K - **Electrical Resistivity:** Higher than conventional steels due to alloy content - **Magnetic Properties:** Ferromagnetic ### **Mechanical Properties (Heat-Treated)** - **Annealed Hardness:** ≤ 302 HB - **Hardened & Tempered Hardness:** **67–70+ HRC** (achievable range) - Typical working hardness: 68–70 HRC - **Tensile Strength:** ~2600–3100 MPa (at 69 HRC) - **Yield Strength:** ~2300–2800 MPa - **Elongation:** **Low** – 2–4% - **Impact Toughness (Charpy):** **Low to Moderate** – 8–15 J (typical for ultra-hard HSS) - **Wear Resistance:** **Exceptional** – Among the highest for conventional HSS, due to high vanadium carbide volume - **Red Hardness:** **Superior** – Maintains hardness effectively up to ~650–670°C - **Hot Hardness at 600°C:** ~59–62 HRC - **Compressive Strength:** ~3500–4000 MPa - **Transverse Rupture Strength:** ~2800–3300 MPa ### **Hardenability & Processing Characteristics** - **Critical Quenching Rate:** Moderate – oil or air quench sufficient - **Through-Hardening Capability:** Excellent – can harden large sections uniformly - **Distortion Tendency:** Low to moderate with proper heat treatment control - **Grindability:** **Challenging** – due to very high vanadium carbide content --- ## **4. Heat Treatment Specifications** ### **1. Annealing** - **Temperature:** 850–900°C - **Process:** Heat uniformly, hold for 3–4 hours, furnace cool slowly (10–15°C/h) to 600°C, then air cool - **Resulting Hardness:** ≤ 302 HB - **Spheroidize Annealing:** Recommended for optimal machinability ### **2. Stress Relieving** - **Temperature:** 600–650°C - **Hold Time:** 2–3 hours per 25mm thickness - **Purpose:** Critical for complex tools to minimize distortion ### **3. Hardening (Quenching)** - **Preheating:** **Essential multi-stage process** - **First Preheat:** 450–550°C (thorough heating required) - **Second Preheat:** 800–850°C (temperature equalization) - **Austenitizing Temperature:** **1180–1220°C** (precise control critical) - **Soaking Time:** 2–4 minutes per 25mm at temperature (avoid over-soaking) - **Quenching Medium:** **Oil** (preferred), air, or salt bath - **Quenching Practice:** Uniform agitation recommended ### **4. Tempering** - **Immediate Tempering:** Begin when tool reaches 50–80°C - **Temperature Range:** **540–590°C** - **Hold Time:** 1.5–2.5 hours per cycle, minimum 1.5 hours - **Cycles:** **Triple tempering mandatory** for maximum performance and stability - **Optimal Hardness:** Typically achieved at 560–580°C tempering temperature - **Secondary Hardening:** Exhibits strong secondary hardening response ### **5. Sub-Zero Treatment** - **Recommended:** -80 to -100°C treatment between quenching and first temper - **Duration:** 2–4 hours - **Benefits:** Maximizes transformation of retained austenite, improves dimensional stability, increases final hardness --- ## **5. Key Features & Advantages** 1. **Exceptional Wear Resistance:** Ultra-high vanadium content provides superior abrasion resistance 2. **Superior Red Hardness:** High cobalt content ensures excellent hardness retention at elevated temperatures 3. **High Hot Strength:** Maintains cutting edge integrity under extreme thermal and mechanical loads 4. **Excellent Thermal Conductivity:** Cobalt enhances heat dissipation from cutting edge 5. **High Hardness Potential:** Can achieve and maintain 68–70+ HRC 6. **Good Through-Hardenability:** Uniform properties in large sections 7. **Balanced Alloy System:** Optimized combination of molybdenum, cobalt, and vanadium **Limitations:** - **Very High Cost:** Significant cobalt and vanadium content makes it expensive - **Poor Toughness:** Very low impact resistance, unsuitable for interrupted cuts - **Extremely Difficult Grinding:** High vanadium carbides make grinding challenging - **Complex Heat Treatment:** Requires precise control and expertise - **Limited Availability:** Specialized grade with restricted production --- ## **6. Typical Applications** UNS T87520 is reserved for **the most extreme machining applications** where both exceptional wear resistance and high-temperature performance are essential. ### **Aerospace & Power Generation:** - **Nickel-based Superalloys:** Inconel 718, 625, 738; Rene series; Waspaloy - **Cobalt-based Alloys:** Stellite, Haynes alloys - **Titanium Alloys:** Ti-6Al-4V, beta titanium alloys at high speeds - **High-Temperature Stainless Steels:** A286, 17-4PH in hardened condition ### **Hardened Material Machining:** - **Tool & Die Steels:** Hardened to 50–65 HRC - **High-Speed Steels:** Machining of other HSS materials - **Bearing Steels:** 52100, M50 in hardened condition - **High-Strength Alloys:** 300M, 4340, 4140 hardened ### **Abrasive Material Processing:** - **Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs):** Aluminum-SiC, aluminum-alumina - **Advanced Composites:** Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass composites - **High-Silicon Aluminum:** (>18% Si) for automotive components - **Abrasive Plastics:** Glass-filled, mineral-filled polymers ### **Specific Tool Types:** - **Solid Carbide End Mill Alternatives:** Where higher toughness than carbide is needed - **High-Performance Drills:** For superalloys and hardened materials - **Thread Mills & Taps:** For precision threading in difficult materials - **Broaches & Reamers:** For finishing superalloy components - **Form Tools & Inserts:** For specialized profiling operations - **Gear Cutting Tools:** For manufacturing hardened aerospace gears ### **Industrial Sectors:** - **Aerospace Manufacturing:** Engine components, structural parts - **Oil & Gas:** Downhole tools, valve components - **Mold & Die:** Machining hardened mold steels - **Automotive Racing:** High-performance component manufacturing - **Medical Device:** Machining surgical implant materials --- ## **7. International Standard Equivalents** | Standard | Grade Designation | Notes | | :--------------- | :------------------ | :----------------------------------------- | | **UNS** | T87520 | Original UNS designation | | **AISI/SAE** | Proprietary M-series HSS | Similar to high-performance M42/M48 variants | | **Proprietary** | Various high-Co, high-V HSS | From major steel producers (e.g., special M48 types) | | **Custom** | Ultra-high performance HSS | Engineered for specific extreme applications | | **Comparative** | Performance similar to premium PM-HSS | Though different manufacturing route | **Note:** UNS T87520 represents a **specialized, high-performance HSS variant** that may not have direct, universally standardized equivalents. It typically corresponds to proprietary grades developed for extreme applications, often sitting at the performance boundary between conventional HSS and powder metallurgy HSS. --- ## **8. Machining & Fabrication Guidelines** ### **Machining (In Annealed State):** - **Difficult Machinability:** Hard carbides and high annealed hardness present challenges - **Tooling:** **Premium carbide tools essential** – micrograin or submicron grades recommended - **Parameters:** Conservative speeds (20–40% of standard steel rates), moderate feeds - **Coolant:** High-pressure coolant systems strongly recommended - **Work Hardening:** Significant tendency – minimize tool dwell time ### **Grinding:** - **Extremely Challenging:** High vanadium carbide content makes grinding difficult - **Wheel Selection:** - **Primary:** Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) wheels – most efficient - **Alternative:** Diamond wheels for certain operations - **Conventional:** Premium ceramic aluminum oxide wheels (soft grade) - **Parameters:** Very light infeeds (0.005–0.015 mm/pass), high wheel speeds - **Coolant:** Copious high-pressure coolant absolutely essential - **Wheel Dressing:** Frequent dressing required to maintain efficiency ### **Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM):** - **Effective Method:** Suitable for complex geometries in hardened state - **Parameters:** Multiple passes with fine finish settings - **Post-EDM:** **Mandatory** complete removal of white layer - **Stress Relief:** Low-temperature tempering (300–400°C) recommended ### **Wire EDM:** - **Suitable:** For profile cutting of hardened stock - **Considerations:** Slower cutting speeds than for lower-alloy steels - **Surface Integrity:** May require subsequent polishing for critical applications ### **Welding:** - **Not Recommended:** Extreme cracking sensitivity - **If Absolutely Necessary:** Requires specialized procedures with high preheat (500°C+) and controlled post-weld treatment - **Practical Approach:** Avoid welding – use alternative joining methods --- ## **9. Surface Treatment & Enhancement** ### **1. PVD Coatings (Primary Enhancement):** - **Optimal Coatings:** TiAlN, AlTiN, AlCrN, TiSiN, AlTiSiN - **Benefits:** Thermal barrier properties, reduced friction, anti-adhesion characteristics - **Application Temperature:** 400–500°C (must not exceed tempering temperature) - **Performance Improvement:** Typically 3–6× tool life enhancement ### **2. CVD Coatings:** - **For Specific Applications:** TiCN/Al₂O₃/TiN multilayer systems - **Consideration:** Higher application temperatures require special substrate preparation - **Applications:** Primarily for indexable inserts ### **3. Nitriding:** - **Process:** Plasma nitriding at 480–520°C - **Case Depth:** 0.02–0.08 mm (shallower due to high alloy content) - **Surface Hardness:** 1100–1400 HV - **Benefits:** Improved surface wear resistance without affecting core properties ### **4. Advanced Surface Engineering:** - **Laser Surface Texturing:** For improved chip evacuation and reduced cutting forces - **Micro-blasting:** For controlled edge preparation and induced compressive stresses - **Electropolishing:** For improved surface finish and reduced material adhesion --- ## **10. Performance Comparison** ### **Within High-Speed Steel Categories:** | Property | UNS T87520 | M42 (Standard) | M48 (High-Perf) | PM-HSS (ASP2060) | |-----------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------| | **Vanadium Content** | 3.00–3.75% | 1.00–1.25% | 1.80–2.20% | 3.00–3.50% | | **Cobalt Content** | 8.00–10.00% | 7.75–8.75% | 8.00–10.00% | 8.00–10.00% | | **Max Hardness** | 68–70+ HRC | 67–69 HRC | 68–70 HRC | 69–71 HRC | | **Wear Resistance** | **Exceptional** | Very Good | Excellent | **Exceptional** | | **Red Hardness** | **Superior** | Excellent | Excellent | **Superior** | | **Toughness** | Low | Low-Moderate | Low | Low | | **Grindability** | Very Poor | Good | Poor | Very Poor | | **Manufacturing Route**| Conventional | Conventional | Conventional | Powder Metallurgy | ### **Strategic Position in Tool Material Spectrum:** | Material Type | Wear Resistance | Red Hardness | Toughness | Cost | Optimal Application | |-----------------------|----------------|--------------|-----------|------|---------------------| | **UNS T87520** | **9/10** | **9/10** | 3/10 | High | Extreme wear + heat | | **Cemented Carbide** | 10/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Med-High | Pure wear | | **Ceramic** | 10/10 | 10/10 | 1/10 | High | Pure heat | | **Cermet** | 8/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | Medium | Finish machining | --- ## **11. Quality Control & Certification** ### **Material Certification Requirements:** - **Full Chemical Analysis:** Emphasis on Co, V, Mo, C balance - **Microcleanliness:** Per ASTM E45 (maximizing cleanliness for critical applications) - **Carbide Structure Analysis:** Size, distribution, morphology assessment - **Hardenability Testing:** Jominy or similar tests to verify performance ### **Heat Treatment Validation:** - **Hardness Uniformity Testing:** Across tool sections and through thickness - **Microstructure Examination:** Grain size (ASTM 9+ preferred), tempered martensite quality - **Retained Austenite Measurement:** Should be minimized (<3% desired) - **Dimensional Stability Verification:** After multiple tempering cycles ### **Non-Destructive Testing:** - **Ultrasonic Testing:** For internal soundness in larger sections - **Magnetic Particle Inspection:** For surface and near-surface defects - **Dimensional Accuracy Verification:** Critical for precision tooling --- ## **12. Economic & Strategic Considerations** ### **Cost Analysis:** - **Raw Material Cost:** Very high due to cobalt and vanadium content (typically 5–8× M2 cost) - **Processing Cost:** Higher grinding and heat treatment costs - **Tool Life:** 3–8× longer than M42 in appropriate applications - **Productivity Gains:** Enables 20–40% higher cutting speeds - **Downtime Reduction:** Fewer tool changes increase machine utilization ### **Return on Investment Factors:** - **Justified When:** Machining costs significantly exceed tool costs - **Critical Applications:** Where tool failure has severe consequences - **Production Bottlenecks:** Where tool life limits production throughput - **High-Value Components:** Where scrap/rework costs are substantial ### **Supply Chain Considerations:** - **Limited Suppliers:** Only specialized mills produce such grades - **Lead Times:** Typically 12–20 weeks for custom orders - **Minimum Quantities:** Higher than standard HSS grades - **Quality Assurance:** Requires extensive supplier qualification --- ## **13. Summary & Selection Guidelines** **UNS T87520** represents the **ultimate performance level in conventional molybdenum high-speed steel technology**, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with wrought metallurgy. ### **Select UNS T87520 When:** 1. **Both extreme wear resistance AND high red hardness** are required simultaneously 2. Machining **superalloys, hardened steels, or highly abrasive materials** at maximum feasible speeds 3. **Cutting edge temperatures regularly exceed 600°C** 4. **Tool life with premium HSS (M42/M48) is unacceptably short** 5. **Productivity gains** justify substantial material cost premiums 6. **Conventional HSS processing** is preferred or required over PM alternatives 7. Applications involve **continuous cutting** without significant interruption ### **Optimal Application Examples:** - **High-speed finishing** of nickel-based superalloy aerospace components - **Production machining** of hardened tool and die steels - **Machining abrasive composites** (MMCs, CFRP) at elevated speeds - **Critical aerospace manufacturing** where tool reliability is paramount - **High-volume production** of difficult materials where tool life dictates cycle time ### **Consider Alternatives When:** 1. Applications involve **significant interruption or impact** 2. **Cost sensitivity** outweighs performance benefits 3. **Powder metallurgy HSS** could provide better overall value 4. **Heat treatment capabilities** are limited 5. **Lower-cobalt grades** (M42/M35) provide adequate performance 6. **Carbide or ceramic tools** are more appropriate for the application ### **Strategic Implementation:** 1. **Start with Testing:** Conduct controlled trials comparing to current tools 2. **Focus on Critical Operations:** Implement initially on bottleneck operations 3. **Optimize Parameters:** Adjust speeds, feeds, and cooling for maximum benefit 4. **Monitor Performance:** Track tool life, surface finish, and dimensional accuracy 5. **Calculate True ROI:** Include all factors in economic analysis ### **Future Outlook:** While powder metallurgy HSS continues to advance, UNS T87520 maintains relevance for applications where: - **Conventional HSS manufacturing processes** are established - **Specific wrought material characteristics** are required - **Cobalt's unique benefits** are maximized for particular applications - **The full performance potential** of conventional HSS is needed ### **Final Recommendation:** **UNS T87520** should be considered a **strategic specialty material** for the most demanding machining challenges rather than a general-purpose tool steel. Its use should be justified by specific performance requirements that cannot be met by lower-cost alternatives. When applied correctly to appropriate challenges, it delivers **unparalleled high-temperature and wear performance** that can transform the economics of machining the world's most difficult materials. For manufacturers pushing the boundaries of machining technology in aerospace, power generation, and other high-tech industries, **UNS T87520 represents a proven, ultra-high-performance option** that continues to offer strategic value in the most demanding industrial applications. Its combination of extreme red hardness, exceptional wear resistance, and reliable performance makes it a **critical material in the advanced manufacturing toolkit** for those who need the absolute best in conventional high-speed steel technology. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6838 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. -: UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed Tool Steel Tube -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of UNS T87520 Molybdenum High Speed 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 3309 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