HSS PM 4 - AT A GLANCE
What kind of steel is the HSS PM 4?
HSS PM 4 or steel grade 1.3361 impresses with its very clean and homogeneous microstructure with evenly spread carbides which optimise its wear resistance. The high carbon and vanadium content lend the PM 4its exceptional abrasive resistance which makes it suitable for cold work punches, machining abrasive alloys and cutting applications at high speeds.
Tungsten (W)
Builds carbides (especially tungsten carbids), which increases the heat resistance, tempering resistance and wear resistance.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum can replace tungsten and has at half the volume the same effect as tungsten. Molybdenum builds carbides which increase the heat resistance as well as the tempering and wear resistance but has to undergo a more complex heat treatment.
Chromium (Cr)
Is involved in building carbides to improve the through-hardenability which benefits tools with a largen diameter when hardening them.
Cobalt (Co)
Elevates the temperature to which the material can be used, this means above which temperature martensite transforms. Cobalt prevents the precipitation of carbides.
Vanadium (V)
Builds vanadium carbides which, like in other steels, increases the wear resistance due to the increased hardness (58 HRC).
Carbon (C):
Is used for building martensite as well as carbides. The proportion of the carbon content is adjusted according to the percentage of the other added elements.
Properties
HSS PM 4 has a good combination of properties which can be assigned to its powder metallurgy process. It has great wear resistance, toughness, high hardness capabilities with a fine and uniform microstructure. Those properties make this material a great choice for tools and knives that need to keep an edge over a longer time, components like gears and bearing and for applications needing high speeds.
- High-speed steel
- Powder metallurgical steel
- High toughness
- Very high wear resistance
- High purity
- Optimized homogeneity
- Uniform, fine carbide distribution
- Improved fracture resistance
- Improved edge stability
Applications
High Speed Steel (HSS) is a highly alloyed steel that finds it uses for drills, thread taps, turning tools and broaches. In comparison with other cold work steels, which loses its hardness at about 200°C, the PM 4 keeps its hardness to a temperature of 600°C and can realise speeds up to 3 to 4 times higher. The base for its abilities lie within it alloys as well as its martensitic microstructure.
- Stamping tools
- Precision cutting tools
- Machining tools
- Broaching tools
- Rotary knives
- Woodworking tools
- Gear shaper cutters
- Circular saw segments
- Metal saw
- Screw dies
- Counter sinks
- Chasers
- Cold extrusion punches
- deep drawing tools
- Plastic moulds with high wear resistance
