Uddeholm

Orvar Superior
®
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

Uddeholm Orvar® Superior

Uddeholm Orvar Superior can be regarded as an “all-round” steel used in
several application areas. Except for hot work application areas the steel is also
used in moulds for plastics and as a material in high stressed axles.

The high degree of purity and the very fine structure shows improvement
in dies and components where high mechanical and thermal stresses are
involved.

Uddeholm Orvar Superior is produced using the Electro-Slag-Refining (ESR)

technique. The ESR process gives Orvar Superior a high level of homogeneity
and cleanliness which results in a high performance hot work tool steel of the
highest quality.

© UDDEHOLMS AB
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes
without permission of the copyright holder.

This information 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.

Classified according to EU Directive 1999/45/EC

For further information see our “Material Safety Data Sheets”.

Edition 3, 03.2015

2
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

GENERAL APPLICATIONS
Uddeholm Orvar Superior is a chromium-
TOOLS FOR DIE CASTING
molybdenum-vanadium-alloyed steel which is
characterized by: Tin, lead Aluminium, Copper
zinc alloys magnesium alloys
• High level of resistance to thermal shock Part HRC alloys, HRC HRC
and thermal fatigue
Dies 46–50 42–48 (QRO 90 S)
• Good high-temperature strength Fixed inserts
cores 46–52 44–48 (QRO 90 S)
• Excellent toughness and ductility in all
Sprue parts 48–52 46–48 (QRO 90 S)
direc­tions Nozzles 35–42 42–48 (QRO 90 S)
Ejector pins
• Good machinability and polishability (nitrided) 46–50 46–50 46–50
• Excellent through-hardening properties Plunger,
shot-sleeve
• Good dimensional stability during hardening (normally
nitrided) 42–46 42–48 (QRO 90 S)

Austenitizing 1020–1030°C 1040–1050°C

Typical C Si Mn Cr Mo V temperature (1870–1885°F) (1900–1920°F)
analysis % 0.39 1.0 0.4 5.2 1.4 0.9

Standard
specification Superior AISI H13
TOOLS FOR EXTRUSION
Delivery
condition Soft annealed to approx. 180 HB Aluminium, Copper Stainless
magnesium alloys steel
Colour code Blue/grey
Part alloys, HRC HRC HRC

Dies 44–50 43–47 45–50

Backers, die-
holders, liners,
IMPROVED TOOLING PERFORMANCE dummy blocks,
stems 41–50 40–48 40–48
The name “Superior” implies that by special
processing techniques and close control, the Austenitizing
temperature 1020–1030°C 1040–1050°C
steel attains high purity and a very fine (approx.) (1870–1885°F) (1900–1920°F)
structure. Further, Uddeholm Orvar Superior
shows significant im­provements in isotropic
properties compared to con­­ventionally pro-
TOOLS FOR HOT PRESSING
duced AISI H 13 grades.
These improved isotropic properties are Material Aust. temp. (approx.) HRC
particu­larly valuable for tooling subjected to Aluminium,
high mecha­ni­cal and thermal fatigue stresses, magnesium 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F) 44–52
Copper alloys 1040–1050°C (1900–1920°F) 44–52
e.g. die casting dies, forging tools and extru-
Steel 1040–1050°C (1900–1920°F) 40–50
sion tooling. In prac­ti­cal terms, tools may be
used at somewhat higher working hardnesses
(+1 to 2 HRC) without loss of toughness. Since
in-creased hardness slows down the formation
of heatchecking cracks, im­proved tool per-
formance can be expected.
Uddeholm Orvar Superior meets the North
American Die Casting Association (NADCA) #207-
2011 for superior high quality H-13 die steel.

3
Uddeholm Orvar Superior

MOULDS FOR PLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Part Austenitizing temp. HRC Approximate tensile strength at room
temperature.
Injection moulds 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F)
Compression/
Hardness 52 HRC 45 HRC
transfer moulds Tempering
1. ≥ 550°C (1020°F) or 40–52 Tensile strength 1820 MPa 1420 MPa
2. 250°C (480°F) 50–53 Rm 185 kp/mm2 145 kp/mm2
117 tsi 92 tsi
263 000 psi 206 000 psi

OTHER APPLICATIONS Yield strength 1520 MPa 1280 MPa

Rp0.2 155 kp/mm2 130 kp/mm2
Application Austenitizing temp. HRC 98 tsi 83 tsi
220 000 psi 185 000 psi
Severe cold
punching, 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F)
scrap shears Tempering 250°C (480°F) 50–53

Hot shearing 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F) APPROXIMATE STRENGTH

Tempering
1. 250°C (480°F) or 50–53 AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES
2. 575–600°C 45–50 Longitudinal direction.
(1070–1110°F)
psi Rm, Rp0.2 A5,
Shrink rings 1000x MPa Z%
(e.g. for 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F)
290 2000 100
cemented Tempering 575–600°C 45–50
261 1800 Z 90
carbide dies) (1070–1110°F)
232 1600 80
Wear-
1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F) Core
203 1400 70
resisting parts
Tempering 575°C (1070°F) 50–52
Nitriding Surface 174 1200 60
~1000HV1 145 1000 Rm 50
116 800 40
87 600 Rp0,2 30
58 400 20
29 200 A5 10

PROPERTIES 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 °C

210 390 570 750 930 1110 1290 °F

All specimens are taken from the centre of a
407 x 127 mm (16" x 5") bar. Unless otherwise Testing temperature

is indicated all specimens were hardened 30

minutes at 1025°C (1875°F), quenched in air
and tempered 2 + 2 h at 610°C (1130°F). The EFFECT OF TIME AT
hardness were 45 ± 1 HRC. HIGH TEMPERATURES ON HARDNESS
Hardness, HRC
50
PHYSICAL DATA
Data at room and elevated temperatures. 500°C (930°F)
45

Temperature 20°C 400°C 600°C

(68°F) (750°F) (1110°F) 40
Density
kg/m3 7 800 7 700 7 600 550°C
35
lbs/in3 0.281 0.277 0.274 (1020°F)
600°C
Modulus of (1110°F)
30
elasticity
MPa 210 000 180 000 140 000
psi 30.5 x 106 26.1 x 106 20.3 x 106
25
Coefficient of 650°C
thermal expan- (1200°F)
sion per 20
°C from 20°C – 12.6 x 10-6 13.2 x 10-6 1 10 100 1000
°F from 68°F – 7.0 x 10-6 7.3 x 10-6 Time, hours
Thermal
conductivity
W/m °C 25 29 30
Btu in/(ft2h°F) 176 204 211

4
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

EFFECT OF TESTING TEMPERATURE STRESS RELIEVING

ON IMPACT ENERGY
After rough machining the tool should be
Charpy V specimens, short transverse direction. heated through to 650°C (1200°F), holding time
2 hours. Cool slowly to 500°C (930°F), then
ft lbs Impact energy, J
freely in air.
74 100

59 80
45 HRC
HARDENING
44 60 Pre-heating temperature: 600–850°C (1110–
1560°F), normally in two pre-heating steps.
40
30
Austenitizing temperature: 1020–1050°C (1870–
1920°F), normally 1020–1030°C (1870–1885°F).
15 20

0
100 200 300 400 500 °C
Temperature Soaking* time Hardness before
210 390 570 750 930 °F °C °F minutes tempering
Testing temperature 1025 1875 30 53±2 HRC
1050 1920 15 54±2 HRC

* Soaking time = time at hardening temperature after the

tool is fully heated through

HEAT TREATMENT– Protect the part against decarburization and

GENERAL oxidation during hardening.

RECOMMENDATIONS
SOFT ANNEALING
Protect the steel and heat through to 850°C
(1560°F). Then cool in the furnace at 10°C (20°F)
per hour to 650°C (1200°F), then freely in air.

CCT GRAPH
Austenitizing temperature 1020°C (1870°F). Holding time 30 minutes.

°F °C
2000 1100
Austenitizing temperature 1020°C
Holding time 30 minutes
1800 1000
Ac1
f
900 = 950°C
1600
Ac1
800 s
= 870°C
1400 Carbides Pearlite
700 Cooling Hardness
Curve T800–500
HV 10 sec.
1200 No.

600 1 681 1
1000
500 2 620 37

800 3 606 160

400
4 601 280
600 Ms
300 Bainite
5 585 560
400 200 6 560 1390
Mf Martensite
100 7 537 3220
200
1 2 3 6 8 8 473 8360
4 5 7
1 10 100 1 000 10 000 Seconds

1 10 100 1 000 Minutes

1 10 Hours

Air cooling of
0,2 1,5 10 90 bars, Ø mm

5
Uddeholm Orvar Superior

QUENCHING MEDIA TEMPERING GRAPH

• High speed gas/circulating atmosphere Retained austenite %
Hardness,HRC
• Vacuum (high speed gas with sufficient 60
positive pressure). An interrupted quench is Austenitizing temperature
1050°C (1920°F)
recommended where distortion control and
55
quench cracking are a concern
• Martempering bath or fluidized bed at 1020°C
50 (1870°F) 1025°C
450–550°C (840–1020°F), then cool in air (1875°F)
• Martempering bath or fluidized bed at
45
approx. 180–220°C (360–430°F) then cool
in air
40 6
• Warm oil Retained austenite

Note 1: Temper the tool as soon as its temperature

35 4
reaches 50–70°C (120–160°F).
Note 2: In order to obtain the optimum proper-
30 2
ties for the tool, the cooling rate should be fast,
but not at a level that gives excessive distorti-
25
on or cracks. 100 200 300 400 500 600 700°C
210 390 570 750 930 1110 1290°F
Tempering temperature (2h + 2h)
HARDNESS, GRAIN SIZE AND
RETAINED AUSTENITE AS FUNC­TIONS OF Above tempering curves are obtained after heat treatment of
AUSTENITIZING TEMPERATURE 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
Grain Hardness, HRC and dies due to factors like actual tool size and heat treatment
Retained austenite %
size 60 parameters.
ASTM Grain size
58
9
56
Hardness
7 54

5 52

50
3
48

46 Retained austenite 6

44 4

42 2
40
1000 1020 1040 1060°C
1830 1870 1905 1940°F

TEMPERING
Choose the tempering temperature according
to the hardness required by reference to the
tempering graph. Temper minimum twice with
interme­diate cooling to room temperature. Lowest
tempering temperature 250°C (480°F). Holding
time at tem­perature minimum 2 h. Illustration – Die casting die
Tempering in the range of 425–550°C (800–
1020°F) for the intended final hardness will result
in a lower toughness.

6
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

APPROXIMATE IMPACT STRENGTH AT NITRIDING AND NITROCARBURIZING

DIFFERENT TEMPERING TEMPERATURES
Nitriding and nitrocarburizing result in a hard
Charpy V specimens, short transverse direction. surface layer which is very resistant to wear
and erosion. The nitrided layer is, however,
Impact strength
brittle and may crack or spall when exposed to
ft.lb.
KV Joule mechanical or thermal shock, the risk increas-
74 100
ing with layer thickness. Before nitri­ding, the
tool should be hardened and tempered at a
59 80
temperature at least 25–50°C (45–90°F) above
44 60
the nitri­ding temperature.
Nitriding in ammonia gas at 510°C (950°F) or
30 40 plasma nitriding in a 75% hydrogen/25% nitro-
gen mixture at 480°C (895°F) both result in a
15 20
surface hardness of about 1100 HV0.2.
In general, plasma nitriding is the preferred
100 200 300 400 500 600 °C method because of better control over nitrogen
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 °F potential; in particular, formation of the
Tempering temperature (2h + 2h)
so-called white layer, which is not recommen-
ded for hot work service, can readily be
avoided. However, careful gas nitriding can
give perfectly acceptable results.
DIMENSIONAL CHANGES Uddeholm Orvar Superior can also be
DURING HARDENING nitrocarburized in either gas or salt bath.
The surface hardness after nitrocarburizing is
Sample plate, 100 x 100 x 25 mm, 4” x 4” x 1”. 900–1000 HV0.2.
Width Length Thickness
% % %
Oil hardened from DEPTH OF NITRIDING
Min. –0.08 –0.06 ±0
1020°C (1870°F) Max. –0.15 –0.16 +0.30 Depth
Process Time mm inch
Air hardened from
Min. –0.02 –0.05 ±0 Gas nitriding 10 h 0.12 0.0047
1020°C (1870°F) Max. +0.03 +0.02 +0.05 at 510°C (950°F) 30 h 0.20 0.0079
Vac hardened from Plasma nitriding 10 h 0.12 0.0047
Min. +0.01 –0.02 +0.08 at 480°C (895°F) 30 h 0.18 0.0071
1020°C (1870°F) Max. +0.02 –0.04 +0.12
Nitrocarburizing
– in gas at
580°C (1075°F) 2.5 h 0.11 0.0043
– in salt bath at
DIMENSIONAL CHANGES 580°C (1075°F) 1h 0.06 0.0024
DURING TEMPERING
Dimensional change % Nitriding to case depths >0.3 mm (>0.012 inch) is
+0,12 not recommended for hot work applications.
+0,08 Uddeholm Orvar Superior can be nitrided in the
+0,04 soft-annealed condition. The hardness and depth
0 of case will, however, be reduced somewhat in this
–0,04 case.
–0,08
–0,12
100 200 300 400 500 600 700
210 390 570 750 930 1110 1290
Tempering temperature (1h + 1h)

Note: The dimensional changes in hardening and

tempering should be added.

7
Uddeholm Orvar Superior

MILLING
MACHINING
FACE AND SQUARE SHOULDER MILLING
RECOMMENDATIONS
Milling with carbide
The cutting data below are to be considered as
guiding values, which must be adapted to existing Cutting data
parameters Rough milling Fine milling
local conditions.
Cutting speed (vc)
More information can be found in the
m/min 180–260 260–300
Uddeholm publication ”Cutting data recom- f.p.m. 590–850 850–985
mendation”. Feed (fz)
mm/tooth 0.2–0.4 0.1–0.2
inch/tooth 0.008–0.016 0.004–0.008
TURNING Depth of cut (ap)
mm 2–5 –2
Turning with Turning inch 0.08–0.20 –0.08
carbide with high
Carbide designation
speed steel
ISO
P20–P40 P10–P20
Cutting data Rough Fine Fine Coated Coated
parameters turning turning turning carbide carbide or
cermet
Cutting speed (vc)
m/min 200–250 250–300 25–30
f.p.m. 660–820 820–985 82–100

Feed (f)
mm/r 0.2–0.4 0.05–0.2 0.05–0.3 END MILLING
i.p.r. 0.008–0.016 0.002–0.008 0.002–0.012
Type of end mill
Depth of cut (ap)
mm 2–4 0.5–2 0.5–2 Carbide
inch 0.08–0.16 0.02–0.08 0.02–0.08 Cutting data Solid indexable High
parameters carbide insert speed steel
Carbide
designation
P20–P30 P10 – Cutting
ISO
Coated Coated speed (vc)
carbide carbide m/min 160–200 170–230 35–401)
or cermet f.p.m. 525–660 560–755 115–1301)

Feed (fz)
mm/tooth 0.03–0.202) 0.08–0.202) 0.05–0.352)
inch/tooth 0.001–0.0082) 0.003–0.0082) 0.002–0.0142)

Carbide
DRILLING designation
HIGH SPEED STEEL TWIST DRILL ISO – P20, P30 –
1)
For coated high speed steel end mill vc = 55–60 m/min
Drill diameter Cutting speed, vc Feed, f (180–195 f.p.m.)
mm inch m/min f.p.m. mm/r i.p.r.
2)
Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter

– 5 –3/16 16–18* 52–59* 0.05–0.15 0.002–0.006

5–10 3/16–3/8 16–18* 52–59* 0.15–0.20 0.006–0.008
10–15 3/8–5/8  16–18* 52–59* 0.20–0.25 0.008–0.010 GRINDING
15–20 5/8–3/4  16–18* 52–59* 0.25–0.35 0.010–0.014
A general grinding wheel recommendation is
* For coated high speed steel drill vc = 28–30 m/min given below. More information can be found in
(92–98 f.p.m.)
the Uddeholm brochure “Grinding of Tool Steel”
CARBIDE DRILL and can also be obtained from the grinding wheel
manufacturer.
Type of drill
Cutting data Indexable Solid Carbide
WHEEL RECOMMENDATION
parameters insert carbide tip1)

Cutting Soft annealed Hardened

speed (vc) Type of grinding condition condition
m/min 220–240 130–160  80–110
f.p.m. 720–785 425–525 260–360 Face grinding
straight wheel A 46 HV A 46 HV
Feed (f) Face grinding
mm/r 0.03–0.122) 0.08–0.203) 0.15–0.254) segments A 24 GV A 36 GV
i.p.r. 0.001–0.0052) 0.003–0.0083) 0.006–0.0104)
Cylindrical grinding A 46 LV A 60 KV
1)
Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip Internal grinding A 46 JV A 60 IV
2)
Feed rate for drill diameter 20–40 mm (0.8”–1.6”) Profile grinding A 100 KV A 120 KV
3)
Feed rate for drill diameter 5–20 mm (0.2”–0.8”)
4)
Feed rate for drill diameter 10–20 mm (0.4”–0.8”)

8
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

WELDING ELECTRICAL-DIS-
Welding of tool steel can be performed with CHARGE MACHINING
good results if proper precautions are taken
If spark-erosion is performed in the hardened
regarding elevated temperature, joint prepa-
and tempered condition, the white re-cast layer
ration, choice of consumables and welding
should be removed mechanically e.g. by
procedure.
grinding or stoning. The tool should then be
given an additional temper at approx. 25°C
Welding method TIG MMA
(50°F) below the previous tempering tempera-
Working 325–375°C 325–375°C
temperature 620–710°F 620–710°F
ture.
Filler metal QRO 90 TIG-WELD
DIEVAR TIG-WELD QRO 90 WELD
Cooling rate 20–40°C/h (40–70°F/h) the first 2–3 h HARD-CHROMIUM
then freely in air.

Hardness
PLATING
after welding 50–55 HRC 50–55 HRC After plating, parts should be tempered at 180°C
Heat treatment after welding (360°F) for 4 hours within 4 hours of plating to
Hardened Temper at 10–20°C (20–40°F) below avoid the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.
condition the original tempering temperature.
Soft annealed Soft-anneal the material at 850°C
condition (1560°F) in protected atmosphere.
Then cool in the furnace at 10°C
20°F) per hour to 650°C (1200°F)
then freely in air. POLISHING
Uddeholm Orvar Superior has good polishabi-
More detailed information can be found in the
lity in the hardened and tempered condition
Uddeholm brochure “Welding of Tool Steel”.
because of a very homogeneous structure.
This coupled with a low level of non metallic
inclusions, due to ESR process, ensures good
LASER WELDING surface finish after polishing.
The filler rod Uddeholm Dievar Laser Weld is Note: Each steel grade has an optimum polish-
available for laser welding as well as for Micro-Tig ing time which largely depends on hardness and
welding. More detailed information is given in the polish­ing technique. Overpolishing can lead to a
datasheet “Uddeholm Laser Welding Rods”. poor surface finish, “orange peel” or pitting.
Further information is given in the Uddeholm
pub­li­cation “Polishing of mould steel”.

PHOTO-ETCHING
Uddeholm Orvar Superior is particularly
suitable for texturing by the photo-etching
method. Its high level of homogeneity and low
sulphur content ensures accurate and con-
sistent pattern reproduction.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Please contact your local Böhler-Uddeholm office
for further information on the selection, heat treat-
ment, application and availability of Uddeholm
tool steel.

9
Uddeholm Orvar Superior

ELECTRIC ARC
FURNACE

ESR-PLANT

UPHILL CASTING

HEAT
TREATMENT

ROLLING MILL
FORGING

MACHINING

STOCK

THE ESR TOOL STEEL PROCESS HOT WORKING

The starting material for our tool steel is carefully From the ESR plant, the steel goes to the rolling mill
selected from high quality recyclable steel. Together or to our forging press to be formed into round or
with ferroalloys and slag formers, the recyclable flat bars.
steel is melted in an electric arc furnace. The molten Prior to delivery all of the different bar materials
steel is then tapped into a ladle. are subjected to a heat treatment operation, either
The de-slagging unit removes oxygen-rich slag as soft annealing or hardening and tempering.
and after the de-oxidation, alloying and heating of These operations provide the steel with the right
the steel bath are carried out in the ladle furnace. balance between hardness and toughness.
Vacuum de-gassing removes elements such as
hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur. MACHINING
Before the material is finished and put into stock,
ESR PLANT we also rough machine the bar profiles to required
In uphill casting the prepared moulds are filled with size and exact tolerances. In the lathe machining
a controlled flow of molten steel from the ladle. of large dimensions, the steel bar rotates against a
From this, the steel can go directly to our roll- stationary cutting tool. In peeling of smaller dimen-
ing mill or to the forging press, but also to our ESR sions, the cutting tools revolve around the bar.
furnace where our most sophisticated steel grades To safeguard our quality and guarantee the integ-
are melted once again in an electro slag remelting rity of the tool steel we perform both surface- and
process. This is done by melting a consumable ultrasonic inspections on all bars. We then remove
electrode immersed in an overheated slag bath. the bar ends and any defects found during the
Controlled solidification in the steel bath results in inspection.
an ingot of high homogeneity, thereby removing Uddeholm Orvar Superior is tested and certified
macro segregation. Melting under a protective according to NADCA #207–2011.
atmosphere gives an even better steel cleanliness.

10
 Uddeholm Orvar Superior

NETWORK OF EXCELLENCE
Uddeholm is present on every continent. This ensures you
high-quality Swedish tool steel and local support wherever
you are. We secure our position as the world’s leading supplier of
tooling materials.

11
 UDDEHOLM R-10.2017
Uddeholm Orvar Superior

Uddeholm is the world’s leading supplier of tooling materials.

This is a position we have reached by improving our customers’
everyday business. Long tradition combined with research and product
development equips Uddeholm to solve any tooling problem that may
arise. It is a challenging process, but the goal is clear – to be your
number one partner and tool steel provider.

Our presence on every continent guarantees you the same high quality
wherever you are. We act worldwide. For us it is all a matter of trust
– in long-term partnerships as well as in developing new products.

For more information, please visit www.uddeholm.com

12