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TPM 30 Ultraclean (1.3294, PM HS 6-5-3-9, X130CoWMoCrV9-6-5-4-3, PM SKH53 +Co, PM M 3-2+Co)

PM HSS for cutting tools and dies

TPM 30 UltraClean is a high-speed tool steel obtained by powder metallurgy. It is characterized by good toughness and excellent wear resistance.

Applications

TPM30 UltraClean also finds numerous applications in the field of cold work tools for cutting, stamping, as well as for punches or dies.

TPM30 UltraClean is particularly recommended for high performance machining tools. Typical applications involve tools not only for the processing of steel but also for non-ferrous metal materials such as titanium alloys or nickel-based alloys.

TPM30 UltraClean is used for cutting tools (milling cutters, spindles, knives, etc.).

Main properties

  • Good toughness
  • Very good compressive strength
  • Good wear resistance

Comparison with the other PM tool steels available at TG Steels, the position on the toughness vs wear resistance diagram is shown here under.

Chemical composition (typical)

C W Mo Cr V Co
1.30 6.40 5.00 4.20 3.10 8.50

Designation

Werkstoff Nr ISO China GB JIS Japan UK AISI USA Russia Gost AFNOR Other / Special
1.3294 PM HS 6-5-3-9/ X130CoWMoCrV9-6-5-4-3 – PM SKH53 +Co – PM M 3-2+Co – – –

Positioning diagram of the PM tool steels available at TG Steels: toughness (vertical axis) versus wear resistance (horizontal axis), with TPM 30 in the high wear resistance area next to TPM 8V, TPM 10V and TPM 52 Ultraclean

Comparison HSS grades

Comparison of HSS grades rated with dots (more dots mean a higher rating) for hot hardness, wear resistance, toughness, machinability (annealed) and grindability: conventional 3343, 3243 and 3247, and PM steels TPM M4, TPM M42, TPM23, TPM30 and TPM60

Structure

The structure of the TPM30 UltraClean is fine and homogeneous without precipitation or alignments of carbides.

Due to its elaboration by powder metallurgy with Hot Isostatic Compression the typical size of the carbides is about 2µm and the level of cleanliness is far better than conventional cold work tool steels.

Hardness at the time of delivery

Annealed for 300 HB max.

Typical mechanical properties in hardened conditions (results from internal tests not indicated on the certificates)

Hardness Compressive
yield strength MPa		 Impact test unnotched
probe J at 23°C
60 3000 40
62 3400 35
64 3700 30

Physical properties

Temperature 20°C 400°C 600°C
Volumic mass kg/m³ 8 7900 7880
Young Modulus N/mm² 235000 212000 190000
Thermal conductivity W/m.K 22 26 25
Coefficient of linear expansion 10-6/K 10 11 11.2

Heat treatment

Soft annealing

Temperature: 870 – 900°C, duration 1h + 1h for 25 mm thickness. Slow cooling in the furnace (10 to 20°C/h). The atmosphere in the furnace must be reducing to avoid decarburization of the steel.

Stress relieving

After machining, it is recommended to perform stress relieving at 650°C for a minimum of 2 hours, followed by slow cooling in the furnace to 450°C.

Austenitization

In order to avoid any risk of cracking it is recommended to preheat in 3 steps.

  • 1st preheating step: temperature: 400°C time: 30 s/mm of thickness
  • 2nd preheating step: temperature: 850°C time: 30 s/mm of thickness
  • 3rd preheating step: temperature: 1050°C time: 30 s/mm of thickness

Recommended austenitizing temperature: 1140 – 1150°C. The holding time should not be too long to avoid a risk of grain coarsening and a loss of toughness. It is recommended to keep the part at the austenitizing temperature 30 minutes per inch of thickness as soon as the temperature of the surface reach the austenitization temperature.

Quenching medium

Oil at 80°C, vacuum (pressure > 6 bars), salt bath 500 – 550°C.
To ensure good toughness, treatment with oil or salt bath is preferable.

Sub zero treatment

For parts that need to have high dimensional stability and to increase wear resistance without reducing toughness, it is recommended to perform a subzero treatment at a temperature between -70°C and -190°C for 1 hour for 25 mm of thickness of the part.

The temperature range from -70°C up to -120°C (named cold treatment of steel) leads to the complete transformation of austenite into martensite and as a consequence to better stability associated with improved hardness and better wear resistance and the temperature range from -135°C down to -190°C (named cryotreatment of steel) leads also to the complete transformation of austenite and also the precipitation of ultrafine carbides improving a lot the wear resistance without modification of the toughness. This treatment is optional for common applications.

Tempering

To ensure a minimum residual austenite rate as well as greater tool stability, it is essential to perform a double (better triple) tempering. Each tempering is followed by a cooling under 100°C.

Depending on the use of the final part the following tempering temperatures are recommended:

Austenitizing temperature Tempering temperature Hardness Properties
1140 / 1150°C 520°C 65 / 68 HRC Better wear resistance
550°C 64 / 66 HRC Wear and toughness
560°C 63 / 65 HRC Better toughness

Each tempering time must be at least equal to 1h + 1h for 25 mm of thickness of the treated part (equivalent thermal thickness).

TPM 30 UltraClean tempering curve: hardness (HRC) versus tempering temperature (°C) after vacuum austenitizing at 1100, 1150 and 1180 °C

Surface treatment

Nitriding

TPM30 UltraClean can be nitrided at temperatures less than or equal to 20°C below tempering temperatures without risk of deterioration of the mechanical characteristics.

PVD, CVD

TPM30 UltraClean is suitable for all kind of PVD and CVD treatment as soon as the treatment temperature is 30°C lower than the last tempering temperature.

Machining

The machining parameters below are given for information only and must be adapted according to the equipment and usual machining conditions.

Grinding in annealed conditions

Carbide insert Solid tool
Rough machining ½ Finishing Finishing
Cutting speed m/min 50-70 80 – 105 40 – 45
Feed mm/r 0.35 0.15 0.01 – 0.1
Depth of cut mm 2 – 3 1 – 1.5 0.01 – 0.1

Turning in annealed conditions

Carbide insert HSS tool
Rough turning ½ Finishing Turning
Cutting speed m/min 90 – 110 115 – 130 15
Feed mm/r 0.35 0.15 0.1 – 0.2
Depth of cut mm 2 – 3 1 – 1.5 0.5 – 2.0

Drilling in annealed conditions: carbide drill

Insert Solid
Cutting speed m/min 120 60
Feed mm/r 0.10 0.20

HSS twist drill

Drill diameter mm Cutting speed m/min Feed mm/r
< 5 9 0.10
5 – 10 0.17
10 – 15 0.22
15 – 20 0.30

Fine grinding

General indications for grinding wheels to be used on TPM30 UltraClean in the heat treated condition.

Usually, rather soft vitrified aluminum oxide grinding wheels (grades G for plane grinding to K for cylindrical grinding) are used.

Particular attention will be paid to effective cooling of the surface during grinding to prevent degradation of the material surface.

Electro-discharge machining

TPM30 UltraClean is also suitable for EDM machining (wire or electrode). Preferably, the machining will be carried out with a low current density and a high frequency in order to limit the thickness of the white layer as much as possible.

Then it is necessary to carry out a stress relieving at 25°C below the last tempering in order to reduce the level of residual stresses (which could lead to a risk of cracking) and to carry out a polishing to completely remove the white layer formed during the discharge machining process.