|
Q. Do I have to remove the recast layer after I EDM the tool?
A. If any recast layer is present on the tool going into the hardening and tempering operations, the risk of quench cracking is significantly increased. If a significant material removal is planned by the EDM process (especially via the wire EDM) after hardening and tempering, a high temperature temper may be required to prevent cracking and distortion during EDMing process (i.e. hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, etc.) for all high alloyed grades.
Q. What happens if I weld my tool and then send for heat treat?
A. If welding is performed in the annealed state and a soft annealing is not performed prior to hardening and tempering operations, the risk of a quench crack increases.
Q. What if my tool is going to be coated after heat treatment?
A. It is critical that the tempering temperature for the tool is not exceeded during a coating operation. If the tempering temperature is exceeded, a permanent loss of hardness, strength and/or dimensional tolerance may occur. If a coating with an elevated application temperature is planned, the tempering temperature which is used must exceed the coating application temperature by 50 degrees F. High temperature tempering can result in degradation of the tool properties for some grades.
Q. What is the recommended machine stock per side, prior to heat treatment?
A. Given that the recommended stress relief is performed between rough and semi finish machining, distortion during hardening and tempering should not exceed the following machine stock recommendations for each grade:
Machine Stock Recommendation
(Inches/Inch/Side) |
Grade of Steel |
| 0.0015 |
VANADIS 4, 6, 10, 23, STAVAX ESR, OPTIMAX, M310 ISOPLAST, W302 ISOBLOC, M390 ISOMATRIX, ELMAX, ORVAR SUPREME, QRO 90 |
| 0.0020 |
A2, D2, S7, H13 |
| 0.0025 |
O1 |
| | If you have other questions that are not answered here, please email us at: info@buthermotech.ca and we will be happy to assist you. Be sure to include the following: Your Name, Company Name, Email, Telephone and/or Fax Number. |
 |
|
