PM steel

Powder-Metallurgical Steel

These materials represent the optimum in steel technology. Thanks to the special manufacturing process, powder-metallurgical steel fulfills the highest requirements. PM steel often greatly improves machine service life.

As a worldwide distributor for the leading PM manufacturers Crucible and Erasteel, we possess extensive practical experience. We offer comprehensive consulting in all areas of application technology, heat treatment and processing. Our recommendations for the optimum choice of steel will help you to raise your productivity.

If you are wondering whether these advantages would also apply for your special project, contact us now! We shall be glad to analyze the nature of the task, show you the alternative tool steel solutions and advise you accordingly.

1. Alloying
The highest alloy levels can be achieved without any adverse effect on mechanical characteristics.

2. Toughness
The uniform distribution of carbide and the absence of metallurgical defects increase fracture resistance and fatigue strength.

3. Wear resistance
The carbide volume and the hardness of the carbide increase the resistance to abrasive and adhesive surface stresses.

4. Grindability
As the small globules of carbide can be cut through, the machinability is enhanced.

5. Degree of barility
Powder-metallurgical steels are free of segregations. This leads to an appreciably higher degree of barility. Tools need less finishing.

6. Degree of purity
The highest possible degree of purity, “ultra-clean ”, results in excellent machinability and outstanding erosion properties.

Powder-metallurgical specialty materials are more expensive. But often only at first glance. A detailed price/performance comparison between PM steel and conventional tool steels often leads to surprising results.

On the basis of the example, the profitability calculation shows a saving of €12,220 when CPM® 10V material is used.

Thanks to the ESH-DVALIN™ process (Electro Slag Heating), the ASP® 2000 materials are “ultra-clean ” high performance PM steels.

The basic principle of the ASP 2000 process: The liquid steel melt is atomized using nitrogen. The powder obtained is encapsulated in the steel cylinder, evacuated, welded and hot isostatically pressed. The steel is then formed into round, flat or square profile shapes by forging and rolling.

1. Graphite electrodes for heating of the melt bath and maintenance of a constant temperature 
2. Slag blanket
3. Molten steel
4. N2 gas
5. Atomization of the molten steel with nitrogen
6. Encapsulation of the powder in the steel cylinder
7. Welding of the cylinder after evacuation
8. Isostatic hot compacting
9. Forging
10. Rolling

With its CPM® process technology, Crucible has concentrated, among other things, on the manufacture of high alloy cold working steels. These innovative, high vanadium alloy, powder-metallurgical materials are as far as possible patented and fulfill the strictest performance requirements.

1. Atomization
2. Powder
3. Filtering
4. Filling
5. Capsules
6. Hot isostatic pressing
7. Forging
8. Rolling

Main advantages of powder metallurgical high performance steels

PM – high performance steel
Positive effects of the uniform microstructure for best cutting edge stability.

Conventional high speed steel
Carbide clusters near the cutting edge produce micro- and macro-chipping.

It must be admitted that, at first sight, powder metallurgical high performance materials are relatively expensive. But often only at first sight. A detailed price/performance comparison between powder metallurgical and conventional tool steels often produces some surprising results.

An example of a cost-effectiveness study has revealed a saving of
$ 12220 by the use of Z-A11 PM material.

Z-A11 PM

Z-A11LV PM

Z-Wear PM

D2 (ASTM A681)

Z-A11 PM
Z-A11LV PM
Z-Wear PM
D2 (ASTM A681)