SANDVIK HIFLEX®
COMPRESSOR VALVE STEEL
STRIP STEEL
DATASHEET
Sandvik Hiflex® is a hardened and tempered martensitic stainless compressor valve steel alloyed with
molybdenum. The material is characterized by:
– High strength and good ductility
– Extremely high fatigue strength under bending and impact stress
– Excellent surface finish
– Very high compressive residual surface stress
– Low level of non-metallic inclusions
– Good wear resistance
Sandvik Hiflex® compressor valve steel has good dimensional tolerances and good flatness.
STANDARDS
– UNS: S42026
– EN Number: (1.4031)*
*) Nearest equivalent grade
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (NOMINAL) %
Chemical composition (nominal) %
C Si Mn P S Cr Mo
Datasheet updated 6/7/2019 2:59:24 PM (supersedes all previous editions)
0.38 0.40 0.55 ≤0.025 ≤0.010 13.5 1.0
APPLICATIONS
VALVE PRODUCTION
Valves made from Sandvik Hiflex® compressor valve steel should be produced with fatigue properties in mind, in
order to make full use of the excellent material properties.
Valve types:
– Flapper valves
– Reed valves
– Check valves
CORROSION RESISTANCE
Sandvik Hiflex® is a martensitic chromium steel alloyed with molybdenum, giving better corrosion resistance and
higher corrosion fatigue strength than conventional steels of the ASTM 420 type.
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FORMS OF SUPPLY
CONDITIONS AND FORMS OF SUPPLY
Strip steel is supplied in labelled coils, or on labelled plastic spools, depending on weight and size. The label details
the steel grade, heat, lot and coil number, and nominal size, allowing full material traceability. Material is protected
against rust with oil.
Coils are wrapped in paper and packed in wooden cases. For overseas shipment, coils are also sealed in a plastic
bag containing silica gel. Net and gross weights are marked on the case. Customised properties, dimensions and
tolerances can be supplied on request.
DIMENSIONS
Thickness
Sandvik Hiflex® is supplied in standard thicknesses in accordance with the table. Customized thicknesses can be
supplied on request.
Thickness Tolerances
mm in. mm in.
0.152 0.006 0.005 0.00020
0.203 0.008 0.006 0.00024
0.254 0.010 0.007 0.00028
0.305 0.012 0.007 0.00028
0.381 0.015 0.008 0.00035
0.406 0.016 0.012 0.00047
0.457 0.018 0.012 0.00047
0.508 0.020 0.014 0.00055
0.600 0.0236 0.020 0.00079
Width
Strip in standard thicknesses is stocked in widths up to 310 mm (12.2 in.), ready for slitting to the required width.
FINISH
Edges
Edges are slit and deburred. Shaved edges can be supplied on request.
Flatness Datasheet updated 6/7/2019 2:59:24 PM (supersedes all previous editions)
Maximum out-of-flatness across and along the strip is 0.20% of the nominal strip width.
Surfaces
Maximum surface roughness values, cut-off 0.25 mm (0.0098 in.), are shown in the table.
Thickness Ra Rmax
mm in. µm µin. µm µin.
≤0.508 ≤0.020 0.13 5.2 1.5 60
>0.508 >0.020 0.25 10.0 2.5 100
Surface defects
A small number of surface defects, such as pits and roll marks, with a depth or height of 2 µm (80 µin.) maximum
is allowed for thicknesses up to 0.508 mm (0.020 inch) and 3 µm (120 µin.) maximum for thicker material. The
2 SANDVIK HIFLEX® COMPRESSOR VALVE STEEL
maximum scratch depth allowed is as follows:
Thickness Max. allowed depth
mm in. µm µin.
≤0.203 ≤0.008 0.5 20
>0.230-≤0.508 >0.008-≤0.020 0.8 32
>0.508 >0.020 1.0 40
Straightness
Out-of-straightness is defined as the maximum deviation from a straight-edge of a specified length. The
following values apply:
Strip width Max. allowed deviation
mm in. mm/m in./3 feet
≥-<20 ≥0.315-<0.787 2.0 0.072
≥20-<50 ≥0.787-<1.969 1.5 0.054
≥50-<125 ≥1.969-<4.921 1.25 0.045
≥125 ≥4.921 1.0 0.036
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Proof strength Tensile strength Elongation
R p0.05 R p0.2 Rm
MPa ksi MPa ksi MPa ksi %
nominal nominal nominal
1300 189 1500 218 1900 276 ≥6
The values are valid for thicknesses up to 0.60 mm (0.024 inch). The manufacturing tolerance for tensile strength
is ±60 MPa (±8.7 ksi).
FATIGUE STRENGTH
Sandvik Hiflex® compressor valve steel has a high response to surface treatment, such as tumbling and shot
Datasheet updated 6/7/2019 2:59:24 PM (supersedes all previous editions)
peening, which gives a significant increase in fatigue life.
REVERSED BENDING FATIGUE (MEAN STRESS = 0)
The fatigue strength of Sandvik Hiflex® flapper valve steel in reversed bending is ±750 MPa (±109 ksi) at a failure
rate of 5%.
FLUCTUATING BENDING FATIGUE (MINIMUM STRESS = 0)
Fluctuating bending fatigue strength for Sandvik Hiflex® compressor valve steel has been calculated from
reversed bending values at a 5% failure rate. Goodmans formula gives 538±538 MPa ( ksi). Gerbers formula gives
660±660 MPa. The value is valid for a strip thickness of 0.381 mm (0.015 inch).
Comparison with other steel grades
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Figure 1. Comparison of fatigue properties for
Sandvik's flapper valve steels and a standard
spring steel (ASTM 301)
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density, 7.7 g/cm3, 0.27 lb/in3
Thermal conductivity
At 20°C, W/(m °C) 24
At 68°F, Btu/(ft h °F) 14
Specific heat capacity
Mean value for 50-100°C, J/(kg °C) 460
Mean value for 120-210°F, Btu/(lb °F) 0.11
Datasheet updated 6/7/2019 2:59:24 PM (supersedes all previous editions)
Thermal expansion, mean values in temperature ranges
Temperature Temperature
°C per °C (x 10-6) °F per °F (x 10-6)
30-100 10.5 86-200 6
30-200 11 86-400 6
30-300 11.5 86-600 6.5
Modulus of elasticity, static properties at 20°C (68°F)
MPa 210000
ksi 30500
FABRICATION
BLANKING
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It is recommended that blanking is made in a straight-side press using blanking tools with sharp edges. Worn or
damaged tools can cause edge defects on the valve that can be difficult to remove in later processes. A punch
to die clearance of 4-10% of the strip thickness is recommended.
Tool steels ASTM D2 or D4 are recommended except for thick strip gauge, slender tool sections or small corner
radii. In this case ASTM M2 steels are recommended. In both cases the tool hardness should be about 63 HRC.
STRESS RELIEVING
Stress relieving may be performed between blanking and tumbling operations in order to remove blanking
stresses. A maximum temperature of 350ºC (662ºF) for 30-60 minutes is recommended.
TUMBLING
A good tumbling operation giving a round, smooth edge is necessary in order to minimize stress concentrations.
Tumbling also increases the residual compressive surface stresses which gives a significant further
improvement in fatigue properties.
Disclaimer: Recommendations are for guidance only, and the suitability of a material for a specific application can be confirmed
only when we know the actual service conditions. Continuous development may necessitate changes in technical data without
notice. This datasheet is only valid for Sandvik materials.
Datasheet updated 6/7/2019 2:59:24 PM (supersedes all previous editions)
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