1.2493 Steel Overview:
1.2493 is a superior high-carbon, high-chromium cold work tool steel celebrated for its remarkable wear resistance, robust toughness, and exceptional hardness retention even at elevated temperatures. This steel, a member of the high-alloyed chromium-molybdenum-vanadium family, is indispensable in the manufacturing industry for the production of cutting tools, forming dies, and other critical cold work applications.
Chemical Composition:
Properties:
1. High Wear Resistance: 1.2493 steel boasts superior wear resistance due to its high chromium content, making it ideal for applications subjected to abrasive wear and heavy loads.
2. Good Toughness: Despite its significant hardness, 1.2493 steel maintains excellent toughness, minimizing the risk of fracture or failure during demanding use.
3. High Hardness Retention: Thanks to its unique alloy composition, 1.2493 steel retains its high hardness even at elevated temperatures, ensuring consistent cutting efficiency and dimensional stability.
4. Excellent Edge Retention: With optimal heat treatment, 1.2493 steel preserves a sharp cutting edge, enhancing productivity and extending the lifespan of tools.
Applications:
1. Cutting Tools: 1.2493 steel is extensively used in the manufacturing of cutting tools such as knives, blades, and shear blades, which are essential for cutting and shaping metals, plastics, and rubber.
2. Forming Dies: It is employed in crafting forming dies used in cold forming and shaping operations like bending, drawing, and extrusion.
3. Cold Work Applications: Owing to its high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness, 1.2493 steel is an optimal choice for various cold work applications that require precision machining and exact dimensional accuracy.
4. Punching Tools: It is utilized in the production of punching tools used for perforating or stamping sheet metal, plastics, and other materials.
Heat Treatment:
Annealing: Heat uniformly to 800-850°C (1472-1562°F), maintain for an adequate period, then slowly cool in the furnace to below 600°C (1112°F) to achieve complete annealing.
Quenching: Preheat gradually to the austenitizing temperature of 980-1020°C (1796-1868°F), followed by rapid quenching in oil or air to attain full hardness.
Tempering: Immediately post-quenching, temper at 180-220°C (356-428°F) for 2 hours, then air cool to achieve the optimal balance of hardness and toughness.
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