VANADIS 8

SUPERCLEAN
Uddeholm Vanadis 8 SuperClean
 REFERENCE STANDARD

AISI WNr. JIS

ASSAB DF-3 ARNE O1 1.2510 SKS 3

ASSAB XW-5 SVERKER 3 D6 (D3) (1.2436) (SKD 2)
ASSAB XW-10 RIGOR A2 1.2363 SKD 12
ASSAB XW-42 SVERKER 21 D2 1.2379 SKD 11
CARMO CARMO 1.2358
CALMAX CALMAX 1.2358
VIKING VIKING / CHIPPER (1.2631)
CALDIE CALDIE
ASSAB 88 SLEIPNER
ASSAB PM 23 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 23 SUPERCLEAN (M3:2) 1.3395 SKH 53
ASSAB PM 30 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 30 SUPERCLEAN (M3:2 + Co) 1.3294 SKH 40
ASSAB PM 60 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 60 SUPERCLEAN (1.3292)
VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN
VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN
VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN
VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN
ELMAX SUPERCLEAN ELMAX SUPERCLEAN
ASSAB 518 P20 1.2311
ASSAB 618 (P20) 1.2738
ASSAB 618 HH (P20) 1.2738
ASSAB 618 T (P20) (1.2738)
ASSAB 718 SUPREME IMPAX SUPREME (P20) 1.2738
ASSAB 718 HH IMPAX HH (P20) 1.2738
NIMAX NIMAX
VIDAR 1 ESR VIDAR 1 ESR H11 1.2343 SKD 6
UNIMAX UNIMAX
CORRAX CORRAX
ASSAB 2083 420 1.2083 SUS 420J2
STAVAX ESR STAVAX ESR (420) (1.2083) (SUS 420J2)
MIRRAX ESR MIRRAX ESR (420)
MIRRAX 40 MIRRAX 40 (420)
POLMAX POLMAX (420) (1.2083) (SUS 420J2)
RAMAX HH RAMAX HH (420 F)
ROYALLOY ROYALLOY (420 F)
PRODAX
ASSAB MM40
ALVAR 14 ALVAR 14 1.2714 SKT 4
ASSAB 2714 1.2714 SKT 4
ASSAB 8407 2M ORVAR 2M H13 1.2344 SKD 61
ASSAB 8407 SUPREME ORVAR SUPREME H13 Premium 1.2344 SKD 61
DIEVAR DIEVAR
20160725

HOTVAR HOTVAR
QRO 90 SUPREME QRO 90 SUPREME
( ) - modified grade

ASSAB is a trademark of ASSAB Pacific Pte Ltd.

The information contained herein is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses.
It should not therefore be construed as a warranty of specific properties of the products described or a warranty for fitness for a particular purpose.
Each user of ASSAB products is responsible for making its own determination as to the suitability of ASSAB products and services.

Edition D20160722

2 | VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
CRITICAL TOOL APPLICATIONS
STEEL PROPERTIES Vanadis 8 SuperClean is especially suitable for
very long run tooling where abrasive wear is the
FOR GOOD TOOL PERFORMANCE dominating problem. Its very good combination
z correct hardness for the application of extremely high wear resistance and good
toughness also make Vanadis 8 SuperClean an
z very high wear resistance
interesting alternative in applications where tooling
z sufficient toughness to prevent premature made of such materials as cemented carbide or
failure due to chipping/crack formation high speed steels tends to chip or crack.
High wear resistance is often associated with low Examples:
toughness and vice-versa. However, for optimal
z Blanking and forming
tool performance both high wear resistance and
toughness are essential in many cases. z Fine blanking
z Blanking of electrical sheet
Vanadis 8 SuperClean is a powder metallurgical
cold work tool steel offering a combina tion z Gasket stamping
of extremely high wear resistan ce and good z Deep drawing
toughness. z Cold forging
z Slitting knives (paper and foil)
FOR TOOLMAKING z Powder pressing
z Granulator knives
z machinability
z Extruder screws etc.
z heat treatment
z dimensional stability in heat treatment
z surface treatment
Toolmaking with highly alloyed steels means that GENERAL
machining and heat treatment are often more of a Vanadis 8 SuperClean is a chromium-molybdenum-
problem than with the lower alloyed grades. This vanadium alloyed steel which is characterised by:
can, of course, raise the cost of toolmaking. z Very high abrasive and adhesive wear resistance
Due to the very carefully balanced alloying and z High compressive strength, 64 HRC
the powder metallurgical manufacturing route, z Very good through-hardening properties
Vanadis 8 SuperClean has a similar heat treatment
z Good ductility
procedure to the steel AISI D2. One very big
advantage with Vanadis 8 SuperClean is that the z Very good stability in hardening
dimensional stability after hardening and tempering z Good resistance to tempering back
is much better than for the conventionally z Good machining and grinding properties
produced high performance cold work steels. This
also means that Vanadis 8 SuperClean is a tool steel
which is very suitable for surface coatings.
Typical C Si Mn Cr Mo V
analysis % 2.3 0.4 0.4 4.8 3.6 8.0
Delivery
Soft annealed to ≤ 270 HB
condition

Colour code Green/light violet

VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN | 3
 PROPERTIES MACHINABILITY
PHYSICAL DATA Relative machinability for ASSAB PM SuperClean
steel Vanadis 10 SuperClean, Vanadis 8 SuperClean,
Hardened and tempered to 62 HRC.
ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean and Vanadis 4 Extra
SuperClean compared with a 10% Vanadium steel
Temperature 20°C 200°C 400°C from another producer, PM10V.

Density
7,460 - -
kg/m3

Modulus of elasticity
230,000 210,000 200,000
MPa
Coefficient of Turning uncoated carbide Drilling uncoated HSS
thermal expansion - 10.8 x 10-6 11.6 x 10-6
/oC from 20oC
Machinablity
Thermal conductivity 1
- 25 28
W/moC
0.8
Specific heat
470 -
J/kgoC
0.6

0.4

0.2
DUCTILITY
Impact test unnotched, CR2 (thickness direction).
Vanadis 10 PM 10V Vanadis 8 ASSAB Vanadis 4
The impact strengths shown, are average values. PM 23 Extra
Vanadis 8 SuperClean and ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean
have a similar impact strength.

HEAT TREATMENT
STRESS RELIEVING
After rough machining the tool should be heated
Joule
through to 650°C, holding time 2 hours. Cool
100 slowly to 500°C, then freely in air.
90
Vanadis 4 Extra
80 HARDENING
70
Pre-heating temperature: First preheating at
60 600–650°C and second at 850–900°C
50 Austenitising temperature: 1020–1180°C
40 Holding time: 30 minutes for hardening temperatures
30 Vanadis 8 and up to 1100°C, 15 minutes for temperatures higher
ASSAB PM 60 ASSAB PM 23
20 than 1100°C.
10 Note: Holding time = time at hardening temperature
after the tool is fully heated through. A holding
54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 time of less than recommended time will result in
HRC loss of hardness.
The tool should be protected against decarburisation
and oxidation during hardening.

4 | VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
QUENCHING MEDIA
z Vacuum (high speed gas at sufficient over
pressure minimum 2 bar)
z Martempering bath or fluidized bed at
200–550°C
z Forced air/gas
Note: Temper the tool as soon as its temperature
reaches 50–70°C.
In order to obtain the optimum properties for the
tool, the cooling rate should be as fast as possible
with regards to acceptable distortion.
A slow quench rate will result in loss of hardness
compared with the given tempering curves.
Martempering should be followed by forced
air cooling if wall thickness is exceeding
50 mm.

CCT-GRAPH
Austenitising temperature 1020°C. Holding time 30 minutes.
oC
1100 Austenitising temperature
1020oC. Holding time 30 min.
1000
Ac = 865oC
900 1f

Ac = 818oC
800 1s
Carbide
Cooling Hardness T 800-500
700 Curve HV10 (sec)
No.
Pearlite
600 1 853 1

2 822 28
500
3 761 450
400
Bainite 4 793 1030

300 5 721 2325

Ms
200 6 533 5215
Martensite
7 518 7320
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 469 10400

1 10 100 1000 10 000 100 000 Seconds

1 10 100 1000 Minutes

1 10 100 Hours

0.2 1.5 10 90 600 Air cooling of

bars, Ø mm

VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN | 5
 TEMPERING TEMPERING GRAPH
Choose the tempering temperature according Hardness
to the hardness required by reference to the 66

tempering graph. Temper at least twice with Austenitising temperature

intermediate cooling to room temperature. 64
1180oC
For highest dimensional stability and ductility, a
62
minimum temperature of 540°C and three tempers 1100°C
is strongly recommended.
60
Tempering at a lower temperature than 540°C may
increase the hardness and compressive strength to
58
some extent but also impair cracking resistance
and dimensional stability. However, if lowering the
56
tempering temperature, do not temper below
1020°C
520°C.
54
When tempering twice the minimum holding time
at temperature is 2 hours. When tempering three 52
times the minimum holding time is 1 hour.
50
450 500 550 600 650 oC
Tempering temperature, 2 x 2h
The tempering curves are obtained after heat treatment
of samples with a size of 15 x 15 x 40 mm, cooling in
forced air. Lower hardness can be expected after heat
treatment of tools and dies due to factors like actual
tool size and heat treatment parameters.

6 | VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
CUTTING DATA MILLING

RECOMMENDATIONS FACE AND SQUARE SHOULDER

MILLING
The cutting data below are to be considered as Turning with carbide
guiding values which must be adapted to existing Cutting data parameter
Rough milling Fine milling
local conditions.
Delivery condition: Soft annealed to ≤270 HB Cutting speed (Vc)
40–70 70–100
m/min
TURNING
Feed (f)
0.2–0.4 0.1–0.2
Turning mm/tooth
Turning with carbide with high
Cutting data speed steel Depth of cut (ap)
parameter 2–4 1–2
mm
Rough
Fine turning Fine turning
turning * *
Carbide designation ISO K20, P10–P20 K15, P10
Cutting speed (Vc) C3, C7-C6 C3, C7
70–100 100–120 8–10
m/min * Use a wear resistant Al203-coated carbide grade

Feed (f)
0.2–0.4 0.05–0.2 0.05–0.3
mm/rev
END MILLING
Depth of cut (ap)
2–4 0.5–2 0.5–3
mm Type of end mill
Cutting data
* * Carbide
parameter Solid High speed
Carbide designation K20, K15, indexable
- carbide steel
ISO P10–P20 P10 insert
C2, C7–C6 C3–C7
Cutting speed (Vc)
35–45 70–90 5–81)
* Use a wear resistant Al2O3 - coated carbide grade m/min

Feed. (f)
0.01–0.22) 0.06–0.202) 0.01–0.32)
mm/tooth
3)
DRILLING Carbide designation K15
– –
ISO P10–P20
HIGH SPEED STEEL TWIST DRILL C3, C7–C6

Drill diameter Cutting speed (Vc) Feed (f)

1)
For coated HSS end mill vc = 12–16 m/min.
mm m/min mm/rev
2)
Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter
3)
Use a wear resistant Al2O3-coated carbide grade
≤5 8–10* 0.05–0.15
5–10 8–10* 0.15–0.20
10–15 8–10* 0.20–0.25
15–20 8–10* 0.25–0.35

* For coated HSS drill vc = 14–16 m/min.

GRINDING
A general grinding wheel recommendation is
given below. More information can be found in the
CARBIDE DRILL “Grinding of tool steel" brochure.
Type of drill
Cutting data Annealed Hardened
Type of grinding
parameter Indexable Solid Carbide condition condition
insert carbide tip1)
B151 R50 B3*
Face grinding straight wheel A 46 HV
Cutting speed (Vc) A 46 GV
90–120 50–70 25–35
m/min
Face grinding segments A 36 GV A 46 GV
Feed. (f) B151 R50 B3*
0.05–0.252) 0.08–0.203) 0.15–0.254) Cylindrical grinding A 60 KV
mm/rev A60 KV
R151 R75 B3*
Internal grinding A 60 JV
1)
Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip A 60 JV
2)
Feed rate for drill diameter 20–40 mm B126 R100 B6*
Profile grinding A 100 JV
3)
Feed rate for drill diameter 5–20 mm A 100 JV
4)
Feed rate for drill diameter 10–20 mm * If possible, use CBN-wheels for this application

VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN | 7
 ELECTRICAL For optimal performance the EDM’d surface should
then be ground/polished and the tool retempered
DISCHARGE at approx. 25°C lower than the original tempering
MACHINING — EDM temperature.
When EDM’ing larger sizes or complicated shapes
If EDM is performed in the hardened and Vanadis 8 SuperClean should be tempered at high
t e m p e r e d c o n d i t i o n , f i n i s h w i t h “f i n e - temperatures, above 540°C.
sparking”, i.e. low current, high frequency.

RELATIVE COMPARISON
OF ASSAB COLD WORK TOOL STEEL
MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND RESISTANCE TO FAILLURE MECHANISMS
Resistance to Fatigue cracking resistance
Hardness/
Resistance Ductility/ Toughness/
to plastic Dimension Abrasive Adhesive resistance gross
ASSAB Grade deformation Machinability Grindability stability wear wear/Galling to chipping cracking
Conventional cold work tool steel
ASSAB DF-3
Calmax
Caldie (ESR)
ASSAB 88
ASSAB XW-42
ASSAB XW-10
ASSAB XW-5
Powder metallurgical tool steel
Vanadis 4 Extra*
Vanadis 8*
Vancron 40*
Powder metallurgical high speed steel
ASSAB PM 23*
ASSAB PM 30*
ASSAB PM 60*
Conventional high speed steel
AISI M2
* ASSAB PM SuperClean Tool Steel

8 | VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
 POWDER METALLURGY
PROCESS

HEAT
TREATMENT

ROLLING MILL
FORGING

MACHINING

STOCK

VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN | 9
 THE POWDER
METALLURGY PROCESS
In the powder metallurgy process nitrogen gas HEAT TREATMENT
is used to atomise the melted steel into small Prior to delivery all of the different bar materials
droplets, or grains. Each of these small grains are subjected to a heat treatment operation, either
solidifies quickly and there is little time for carbides as soft annealing or hardening and tempering.
to grow. These powder grains are then compacted These operations provide the steel with the right
to an ingot in a hot isostatic press (HIP) at high balance between hardness and toughness.
temperature and pressure. The ingot is then rolled
or forged to steel bars by conventional methods.
MACHINING
The resulting structure is completely homogeneous
steel with randomly distributed small carbides, Before the material is finished and put into stock,
harmless as sites for crack initiation but still we also rough machine the bar profiles to required
protecting the tool from wear. size and exact tolerances. In the lathe machining
of large dimensions, the steel bar rotates against
Large slag inclusions can take the role as sites
a stationary cutting tool. In peeling of smaller
for crack initiation instead. Therefore, the
dimensions, the cutting tools revolve around the
powder metallurgical process has been further
bar.
developed in stages to improve the cleanliness
of the steel. Powder steel from Uddeholm and To safeguard our quality and guarantee the integrity
ASSAB is today of the third generation and is of the tool steel we perform both surface- and
considered the cleanest powder metallurgy tool ultrasonic inspections on all bars. We then remove
steel product on the market. the bar ends and any defects found during the
inspection.

FURTHER
INFORMATION
Please contact your local ASSAB office for further
information on the selection, heat treatment,
application and availability of ASSAB tool steel.

10 | VANADIS 8 SUPERCLEAN
ASSAB
SUPERIOR TOOLING SOLUTIONS

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service provider that offers superior tooling solutions.
In addition to the supply of tool steel and other
special steel, our range of comprehensive value-
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and coating services, span the entire supply chain to
ensure convenience, accountability and optimal usage
of steel for customers. We are committed to achieving
solutions for our customers, with a constant eye on
time-to-market and total tooling economy.
Choosing the right steel is of vital importance. ASSAB engineers
and metallurgists are always ready to assist you in your choice
of the optimum steel grade and the best treatment for each
application. ASSAB not only supplies steel products with
superior quality, we offer state-of-the-art machining, heat
treatment and surface treatment services to enhance steel
properties to meet your requirement in the shortest lead time.
Using a holistic approach as a one-stop solution provider, we are
more than just another tool steel supplier.

ASSAB and Uddeholm are present on every continent. This

ensures you that high quality tool steel and local support are
available wherever you are. Together we secure our position as
the world’s leading supplier of tooling materials.

For more information, please visit www.assab.com