1.2493 Steel Overview:
1.2493 is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold work tool steel celebrated for its exceptional wear resistance, remarkable toughness, and impressive hardness retention even at elevated temperatures. This high-alloyed chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel is indispensable in the manufacturing industry, where it is utilized for producing cutting tools, forming dies, and various cold work applications.
Chemical Composition:
Properties:
1. High Wear Resistance: Owing to its high chromium content, 1.2493 steel boasts outstanding wear resistance, making it ideal for applications that involve abrasive wear and heavy loads.
2. Good Toughness: Despite its remarkable hardness, 1.2493 steel maintains good toughness, significantly reducing the risk of fracture or failure during use.
3. High Hardness Retention: The unique alloy composition of 1.2493 steel ensures it retains high hardness levels even at elevated temperatures, providing consistent cutting performance and stable dimensions.
4. Excellent Edge Retention: With precise heat treatment, 1.2493 steel maintains a sharp cutting edge, enhancing productivity and significantly extending tool life.
Applications:
1. Cutting Tools: 1.2493 steel is extensively used for manufacturing cutting tools such as knives, blades, and shear blades, which are employed in cutting and shaping a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and rubber.
2. Forming Dies: This steel is also used in producing forming dies for cold forming and shaping operations, such as bending, drawing, and extrusion.
3. Cold Work Applications: Thanks to its high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness, 1.2493 steel is ideal for various cold work applications that demand precision machining and dimensional accuracy.
4. Punching Tools: 1.2493 steel is also employed in manufacturing punching tools, which are essential for perforating or stamping sheet metal, plastics, and other materials.
Heat Treatment:
Annealing: Heat uniformly at 800-850°C (1472-1562°F), hold for adequate time, then slowly cool in the furnace to below 600°C (1112°F) for a complete anneal.
Quenching: Preheat slowly to the austenitizing temperature of 980-1020°C (1796-1868°F), followed by rapid quenching in oil or air to fully harden the steel.
Tempering: Immediately after quenching, temper at 180-220°C (356-428°F) for 2 hours, followed by air cooling to achieve the perfect balance of hardness and toughness.







