Navigation

Find Your Steel

Search our vast selection of steels from us and our sister companies


A11 PM

Download A11 PM Spec sheet

WM A-11 powder metal tool steel is a versatile tool and die steel which provides extremely high wear resistance in combination with relatively high impact toughness. A large volume of hard vanadium carbides provides the high wear resistance. The good impact toughness is a result of the fine grain size, small carbides, and superior cleanliness of the powder metallurgy (PM) microstructure. WM A-11 offers substantially better wear resistance than the high-carbon, high-chromium die steels such as D2 and D7.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Carbon 2.45
Manganese 0.50
Silicon 0.90
Chromium 5.25
Molybdenum 1.30
Vanadium 9.75

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES


Density – 0.268 lb/in3

Specific gravity – 7.41

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

70 – 200°F 5.96 x 10-6 in/in/°F
70 – 500°F 6.18
70 – 800°F 6.54
70 – 1100°F 6.82

Critical Temperature:

Ac1: 1540°F

PREHEATING

1500-1550°F, equalize.

AUSTENITIZING (high heat)

Heat rapidly from the preheat, typically by transferring to a second furnace.

For Optimum Wear Resistance:
Soak for 5 to 15 minutes.
Furnace or Salt Bath: 2150°F

For Balance of Wear Resistance and Toughness:
Soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
Furnace or Salt Bath: 2050°F

For Maximum Toughness and minimum distortion in cooling:
Soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
Furnace: 1975°F
Salt Bath: 1950°F

QUENCHING

Sections less than 3” thick may be air cooled to maximum hardness. Sections 3” thick or more must be quenched at a faster rate, using one of the methods below, to attain maximum hardness.

For pressurized gas, the furnace should have a minimum quench pressure of 4 bars. The quench rate to below 1000°F is critical to obtain the desired properties.

For oil, quench until black, about 900°F then cool in still air to 150-125°F.

For salt maintained at 1000-1100°F equalize in the salt, then cool in still air to 150-125°F.

TEMPERING

Temper immediately after quenching.

The typical tempering range is 1000-1100°F. Do not temper below 1000°F. Hold at temperature for 2 hours then air cool to ambient temperature. Double tempering is required. Triple tempering is required when austenitized at 2100°F.

A11

ANNEALING

Annealing must be performed after hot working and before rehardening.

Heat at a rate not exceeding 400°F per hour to 1600-1650°F, and hold at temperature for 1 hour per inch of maximum thickness; 2 hours minimum. Then cool slowly with the furnace at a rate not exceeding 30°F per hour to 1000°F. Continue cooling to ambient temperature in the furnace or in air. The resultant hardness should be a maximum of 277 HBW.

Sold By Our Sister Companies:

Walter Metals