550 / Heat Treaters Guide

A6
Chemical Composition. AISI: Nominal. 0.70 C. 2.00 Mn. I .OO Cr. tools to 45 min for large tools. 4ir quench. Typical quenched hardness. 59
1.25 MO. AISI/UNS (T30106): 1.25 to 1.55 C. 0.30 to I.10 Mn. 0.55 to to 63 HRC
I.50 Si, 0.30 Ni max. 0.30 Cr max, 0.20 to 0.30 MO
Stabilizing. Optional. Low-temperature treatment may increase hard-
Similar Steels (U.S. and/or Foreign). ASTM A68 I (~-6); FED ness and improve dimensional stability by reducing the amount of retained
QQ-T-570 (A-6); (U.K.) B.S. 4659 BA6 austenite. particularly when temperatures at the upper end of the austenitiz-
ing range are used. It is safer and definitely recommended to stress relieve
Characteristics. Has properties roughly similar to A3 except with temper at IS0 to 160 C (300 to 320 Ft for a short period before refriger-
lower carbon content. Among the lowest in distortion in heat treating. Deep ating to -85 C t-120 F). particularly for intricate shapes or tools having
hardening, with high safety in hardening. Medium resistance to softening abrupt changes in section size. Temper immediately after tool reaches room
at elevated temperature. and medium to high resistance to decarburization temperature

Forging. Heat slowly. Start forging at IO-10 to I I20 C ( 1905 to 2050 F). Tempering. Temper immediately at I50 to 425 C (300 to 795 F) after
Do not forge below 870 C ( I600 F) tool has cooled to 50 to 66 C (I 20 to 150 OF). Double temper, allowing
tool to cool to room temperature before second temper. Range of hardness
Recommended Heat Treating Practice after tempering. 60 to 51 HRC
Normalizing. Do not normalize
Recommended Processing Sequence
Annealing. Heat SIOH Iy and uniformly to 730 to 745 C ( I350 to 1370 l Rough machine
F). After soaking adequately for section size. restrict cooling to a maxi- l Stress relieve (optional)
mum rate of 15 C (25 F) per h until 540 C (1000 F) is reached. after l Finish machine
which a faster rate may be used. Typical annealed hardness, 2 I7 to 248 HB. l Preheat
l Austenitize
Stress kdieVing. Optional. Heat to 675 to 705 C ( IX5 to I300 F)
l Quench
and hold for I h per inch of cross section (minimum of I h). Cool in air
l Stabilize (optional)
Hardening. Heat slowly. Preheat at 650 C ( 1200 F), austenitize at 830 l Temper/double temper
to 870 C ( I525 to I600 OF). and hold at temperature for 20 min for small l Final grind
 Tool Steels / 551

A6: Hardness vs Tempering Temperature. Austenitized at 845

C (1555 F) and air cooled. Hardness, 62 HRC. Source: Univer-
sal-Cyclops

A6: Length Changes vs Tempering Temperature.

Austenitized at 845 C (1555 F) and air cooled. Hardness,
62 HRC. Source: Allegheny Ludlum Industries and Catpen-
ter Steel

A6: Tempering Characteristics vs Dimensional Change.

Austenitized at 830 C (1525 F) and 870 C (1600 F) and air
cooled, showing upper and lower limits of hardness. Dimensional
changes. austenitized at 845 C (1555 F) and air cooled. Shaded
portion indicates optimum tempering range which coincides with
lowest dimensional change. Source: Carpenter Steel
552 / Heat Treaters Guide

A6: Isothermal Transformation Diagram. Austenitized at 840

C (1545 F). Source: Carpenter Technology Corporation

A6: Typical Tensile and Yield Strengths. Source: Carpenter

Technology Corporation
 Tool Steels / 553

A6: Microstructures. (a) Nital. 1000x. Annealed by heating to 730 C (1350 OF), holding 1 h per inch of section thickness and furnace cool-
ing. Structure fine spheroidal carbide In matrix of ferrite. (b) Nital. 1000x. Austenitized !+ h at 845 C (1555 OF), air cooled, and tempered 1
h at 175 C (345 F). Fine martensite matrix with a few undissolved carbide particles (white specks)