ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Uddeholm Vanadis 23 SuperClean

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

REFERENCE STANDARD

ASSAB DF-2

ARNE

ASSAB DF-3

AISI

WNr.

JIS

O1

(1.2510)

(SKS 3)

O1

(1.2510)

(SKS 3)

ASSAB XW-5

SVERKER 3

D6 (D3)

(1.2436)

(SKD 2)

ASSAB XW-10

RIGOR

A2

1.2363

SKD 12

ASSAB XW-41

SVERKER 21

D2

1.2379

SKD 11

D2

1.2379

SKD 11

ASSAB XW-42
CARMO

CARMO

1.2358

CALMAX

CALMAX

1.2358

CALDIE

CALDIE

ASSAB 88

SLEIPNER

ASSAB PM 23 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 23 SUPERCLEAN

(M3:2)

1.3395

SKH 53

ASSAB PM 30 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 30 SUPERCLEAN

(M3:2 + Co)

1.3294

SKH 40

ASSAB PM 60 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 60 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN

VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN

VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN

ELMAX SUPERCLEAN

ELMAX SUPERCLEAN

1.3292

ASSAB 618

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 618 HH

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 618 T

P20 Mod.

1.2738 Mod.

ASSAB 718 SUPREME

IMPAX SUPREME

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 718 HH

IMPAX HH

P20 Mod.

1.2738

NIMAX

NIMAX

MIRRAX 40

MIRRAX 40

VIDAR 1 ESR

VIDAR 1 ESR

UNIMAX

UNIMAX

CORRAX

CORRAX

ASSAB 2083

420 Mod.
H11

1.2343

SKD 6

420

1.2083

SUS 420J2

STAVAX ESR

STAVAX ESR

420 Mod.

1.2083 ESR

SUS 420J2

MIRRAX ESR

MIRRAX ESR

420 Mod.

POLMAX

POLMAX

RAMAX HH

RAMAX HH

ROYALLOY

ROYALLOY

1.2714

SKT 4

1.2714

SKT 4

H13

1.2344

SKD 61

H13 Premium

1.2344 ESR

SKD 61

420 F Mod.

PRODAX
ASSAB PT18
ASSAB MMXL
ASSAB MM40
ALVAR 14

ALVAR 14

ASSAB 2714
ASSAB 8407 2M

ORVAR 2M

ASSAB 8407 SUPREME

ORVAR SUPREME

DIEVAR

DIEVAR

HOTVAR

HOTVAR

QRO 90 SUPREME

QRO 90 SUPREME

ASSAB 705

4340

1.6582

SNCM8

ASSAB 709

4140

1.7225

SCM4

ASSAB 760

1050

1.1730

S50C

ASSAB is a trademark of ASSAB Pacific Pte Ltd.

The information contained herein is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses.
It should not therefore be construed as a warranty of specific properties of the products described or a warranty for fitness for a particular purpose.
Each user of ASSAB products is responsible for making its own determination as to the suitability of ASSAB products and services.
Edition 140101

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Critical tool steel properties

General

For good tool performance

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is a chromiummolybdenum-tungsten-vanadium alloyed

high speed steel which is characterised by:

Correct hardness for the application

High wear resistance
High toughness to prevent premature failure
due to chipping/crack formation
High wear resistance is often associated with
low toughness and vice versa. However, in many
cases both high wear resistance and toughness are
essential for optimal tooling performance.
ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is a powder
metallurgical tool steel offering an excellent
combination of wear resistance and toughness.

For toolmaking
Machinability
Heat treatment

High wear resistance (abrasive profile)

High compressive strength
Very good through-hardening properties
Good toughness
Very good dimensional stability during
heat treatment
Very good temper resistance
Typical analysis %

C
1.28

Cr
4.2

Mo
5.0

W
6.4

V
3.1

Standard spec.

AISI (M3:2), WNr. 1.3395, SKH 53

Delivery condition

Soft annealed to approx. 260 HB

Drawn, max. 320 HB

Colour code

Violet

Grinding
Dimensional stability during heat treatment
Surface treatment
Tool making with highly alloyed tool steels means
that machining and heat treatment are often more
of a problem than with the lower alloy grades.
This can, of course, raise the cost of tool making.
The powder manufacturing route used for
ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean means that its
machinability is superior to that of similar
conventionally produced grades and some highly
alloyed cold work tool steels.
The dimensional stability of ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean
during heat treatment is excellent and predictable
compared to conventionally produced high alloy
steels. This, coupled with its high hardness, good
toughness and high temperature tempering, means
that ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is very suitable for
surface coating, in particular for PVD.

Applications
ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is especially suitable for
blanking and forming of thinner work materials
where a mixed (adhesive-abrasive) or abrasive type
of wear is encountered, and where the risk for
plastic deformation of the working surfaces of the
tool is high.
TYPICAL applications
Blanking of medium to high carbon steels
Blanking of harder materials such as hardened or
cold rolled strip steels
Cutting tools, e.g., gear cutting tools,
broaches, taps
Plastics mould tooling subjected to abrasive wear
Semiconductor IC mould tooling, e.g., cavity bar,
cull block
Plastics processing parts, e.g., feed screws, barrel
liners, nozzles, screw tips, non-return check ring
valves, pellitiser blades, granulator knives

IC encapsulation cavity bar.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Properties
Physical properties

Bending strength

Hardened and tempered condition.

Four-point bend testing.

Temperature

20C

400C

600C

Density
kg/m3

7 980

7 870

7 805

230 000

205 000

184 000

Thermal
conductivity
W/m C

24

28

27

Specific heat
J/kg C

420

510

600

Modulus of elasticity
MPa

COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION

IN DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE INTERVALS

Original dimension: 6 mm
Specimen size: 5 mm
Tempering: 3 x 1 h at 560C
Bend strength (MPa)
6000

Deflection (mm)
6

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

Hardened and tempered condition.

56

58

60

62
64
Hardness (HRC)

66

68

Temperature range

Coefficient (C-1)

20 - 100C

10.8 x 10 -6

20 - 200C

11.1 x 10 -6

20 - 300C

11.4 x 10 -6

IMPACT strength

20 - 400C

11.8 x 10 -6

20 - 500C

12.1 x 10 -6

Approximate room temperature impact strength at

different hardness levels.

20 - 550C

12.3 x 10 -6

Rmb

Reb

Deflection

Original dimensions: 9 x 12 mm
Specimen size: 7 x 10 x 55 mm
Specimen type: Unnotched
Tempering: 3 x 1 h at 560C

Compressive YIELD strength

Specimen: Hourglass shaped with 10mm waist
Approximate compressive yield strength
versus hardness at room temperature
Compressive yield strength, MPa

120

67

90

64

60

61

30

58

5000

4000

3000
Rc0.2

2000

1000

55

60

Hardness (HRC)

55
950

65

1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Heat treatment
Soft annealing
Protect the steel and heat through to 850 - 900C.
Cool in the furnace at 10C/h to 700C, then freely
in air.

Recommended holding time, vacuum, fluidised

bed or atmosphere furnace

Stress relieving
After rough machining, the tool should be heated
through to 600 - 700C, holding time 2 hours.
Cool slowly to 500C, then freely in air.

Hardening
Preheating temperature: 450 - 500C and 850 - 900C
Austenitising temperature: 1050 - 1180C according
to the desired final hardness, see diagram below
The tool should be protected against decarburisation
and oxidation during hardening.

Holding time = Time at austenitising temperature

after the tool is fully heated through. A holding
time that is less than the recommendation
mentioned above, will result in loss of hardness.

Hardness after tempering 3 times for 1 hour at 560C

Total soaking time in a salt bath after

preheating in two stages at 450C and 850C

Quenching media
Hardness obtained after hardening at different
austenitising temperatures and tempering
3 times for 1 hour at 560C
Hardness
HRC

Austenitising temp.
C

58
60
62
64
66

1020
1060
1100
1140
1180

Vacuum furnace with high speed gas at sufficient

overpressure (2 bar)
Martempering bath or fluidised bed at approx.
550C
Forced air / gas
Note 1: Quenching should be continued until the
temperature of the tool reaches approx. 50C.
The tool should then be tempered immediately.
Note 2: For applications where maximum toughness
is required, use a martempering bath or a furnace
with sufficient overpressure.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

CCT graph
Austenitising temperature 1080C. Holding time 30 minutes.

Six cavities IC encapsulation mold.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Tempering

High temperature properties

For cold work applications, tempering should

always be carried out at 560C irrespective of the
austenitising temperature. Temper three times for
at least 1 hour each at full temperature. The tool
should be cooled to room temperature between the
tempers. The retained austenite content will be less
than 1% after this tempering cycle.

Hardness as a function of holding time at

different working temperatures
Austenitising temperature: 1050 - 1130C
Tempering: 3 x 1 h at 560C

Dimensional changes
Dimensional changes after hardening and
tempering.
Heat treatment: Austenitising between
1050 - 1130C and tempering 3 x 1 h at 560C
Specimen size: 80 x 80 x 80 mm and
100 x 100 x 25 mm
Dimensional changes: Growth in length, width and
thickness +0.03% to +0.13%
Hot hardness
Sub-zero treatment
Parts requiring maximum dimensional stability
should be sub-zero treated, otherwise volume
changes may arise.

Austenitising temperature: 1180C

Tempering: 3 x 1 h at 560C

Immediately after quenching, the piece should be

sub-zero treated, followed by tempering.
ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is commonly sub-zero
treated between -150C and -196C, although
occasionally -70C to -80C are used due to
constraints of the sub-zero medium and equipment
available. A treatment time of 1 - 3 hours at
temperature will give a hardness increase of
~1 HRC.
Avoid intricate shapes as there is a risk of cracking.

PVD coated tools made of ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean for

cold forming of tubes.

Punches manufactured by LN's Mekaniska Verkstads AB in

Sweden. ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean is a perfect steel for
this application.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Machining recommendations
The cutting data below are to be considered as
guiding values and as starting points for developing
your own best practice.

Milling
Face and square shoulder milling

Turning

Cutting data
parameters

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f)
mm/r
Depth of cut (ap)
mm
Carbide
designation
ISO

Turning
with HSS

Turning with carbide

Rough milling

Fine milling

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min

80 - 130

130 - 160

0.2 - 0.4

0.1 - 0.2

2-4

K20, P20
Coated carbide*

K15, P15
Coated carbide*
or cermet*

Rough
turning

Fine
turning

Fine
turning

Feed (f z)
mm/tooth

110 - 160

160 - 210

12 - 15

Depth of cut (ap )

mm

0.2 - 0.4

0.05 - 0.2

0.05 - 0.3

2-4

0.5 - 2

0.5 - 3

K20
P10
P10 - P20
Coated
Coated carbide*
carbide*
or cermet*
or cermet*

Milling with carbide

Cutting data
parameters

Condition: Soft annealed condition ~260 HB

Carbide
designation
ISO
* Use a CVD coating

End milling

Type of end mill

Cutting data
parameters

High speed steel

* Use a CVD coating

Solid
carbide

Carbide
indexable
insert

High speed
steel

40 - 50

90 - 110

5 - 81

0.01 - 0.22

0.06 - 0.22

0.01 - 0.32

K15
P10 - P20
Coated carbide3
or cermet3

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min

DRILLING

Feed (f z)
mm/tooth

High speed steel twist drill

Drill diameter
mm

Cutting speed (vc)

m/min

Feed (f)
mm/r

10 - 12*

0.05 - 0.10

5 - 10

10 - 12*

0.10 - 0.20

10 - 15

10 - 12

0.20 - 0.25

15 - 20

10 - 12*

0.25 - 0.35

Carbide
designation
ISO
1

For coated HSS end mill, vc= 14 - 18 m/min

Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter
3 Use a CVD coating
2

GRINDING

* For TiCN coated HSS drill, v = 16 - 18 m/min

c

Wheel recommendation
Carbide drill
Type of drill
Cutting data
parameters

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f)
mm/r

Indexable
insert

Solid
carbide

Carbide
tip1

120 - 150

60 - 80

30 - 40

0.05 - 0.152

0.10 - 0.253

0.15 - 0.254

Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip

Feed rate for drill diameter 20 - 40 mm
3 Feed rate for drill diameter 5 - 20 mm
4 Feed rate for drill diameter 10 - 20 mm
2

Soft annealed
condition

Hardened
condition

Face grinding
straight wheel

A 46 HV

B151 R50 B31

A 46 HV

Face grinding
segments

A 36 GV

A 46 GV

Cylindrical grinding

A 60 KV

B151 R50 B31

A 60 KV

Internal grinding

A 60 JV

B151 R75 B31

A 60 IV

Profile grinding

A 100 IV

B126 R100 B61

A 100 JV

Type of grinding

If possible, use CBN wheels for this application

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Surface treatment

Electrical discharge machining

Some cold work tools are given a surface

treatment in order to reduce friction and increase
tool wear resistance. The most commonly used
treatments are nitriding and surface coating with
wear-resistant layers produced via PVD and CVD.

If EDM is performed in the hardened and tempered

condition, the EDMd surface is covered with a
resolidified layer (white layer) and a rehardened and
untempered layer, both of which are very brittle and
hence detrimental to the tool performance.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean has been found to

be particularly suitable for titanium carbide and
titanium nitride coatings. The uniform carbide
distribution in ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean facilitates
bonding of the coating and reduces the spread
of dimensional changes resulting from hardening.
This, together with its high strength and toughness,
makes ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean an ideal substrate
for PVD and CVD coatings.

When a profile is produced by EDM, it is

recommended to finish with fine-sparking,
i.e., low current, high frequency. For optimal
performance, the EDMd surface should be ground/
polished to remove the white layer completely. The
tool should then be retempered at approx. 535C.

Nitriding
A brief immersion in a special salt bath to
produce a nitrided diffusion zone of 2 - 20 m is
recommended. This reduces the friction on the
nitrided surface of punches and has various other
advantages.

Further information
For further information, i.e., steel selection, heat
treatment, application and availability, please
contact our ASSAB office nearest to you.

Depth of nitriding as a function of nitriding

time during nitrocarburising at 570C

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

* Nitriding depth is the distance from the surface where the

hardness is 50 HV higher than the matrix hardness

PVD
Physical vapour deposition, PVD, is a method of
applying a wear-resistant coating at temperatures
between 200 - 500C. As ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean
is high temperature tempered at 560C, there is no
danger of dimensional changes during PVD coating.
CVD
Chemical vapour deposition, CVD, is used for
applying wear-resistant surface coatings at a
temperature of around 1000C. It is recommended
that the tools should be separately hardened
and tempered in a vacuum furnace after surface
treatment.

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

Relative comparison of ASSAB cold work tool steels

material properties and resistance to failure mechanisms
ASSAB
grade
ASSAB DF-3
CALMAX
CALDIE (ESR)
ASSAB XW-10
ASSAB 88
ASSAB XW-42
ASSAB XW-5
VANADIS 4 EXTRA
VANADIS 10
VANCRON 40
ASSAB PM 23
ASSAB PM 30
ASSAB PM 60
AISI M2

10

Hardness/
Resistance
to plastic
deformation

Resistance to
Machinability

Grindability

Dimension
stability

Abrasive
wear

Adhesive
wear

Fatigue cracking resistance

Ductility/
resistance
to chipping

Toughness/
gross
cracking

ASSAB PM 23 SuperClean

REGIONAL HEAD OFFICE

SINGAPORE
ASSAB Pacific Pte Ltd
Tel : +65 6534 5600
Fax : +65 6534 0655
[email protected]
www.assab.com
CHINA
Beijing
ASSAB Tooling (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 10 6786 5588
Fax : +86 10 6786 2988
[email protected]
Changchun*
ASSAB Tooling (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,
Dalian Branch
Tel : +86 431 8897 8922
Fax : +86 431 8897 8922
[email protected]

Changzhou*
ASSAB Tooling Technology (Shanghai)
Co., Ltd. - Changzhou Branch
Tel : +86 519 8188 0008
Fax : +86 519 8510 2820
[email protected]

Chongqing

ASSAB Tooling Technology
(Chongqing) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 23 6745 5698
Fax : +86 23 6745 5699
[email protected]
Dalian
ASSAB Tooling (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,
Dalian Branch
Tel : +86 411 8761 8080
Fax : +86 411 8761 9595
[email protected]
Dongguan

ASSAB Tooling (Dong Guan)
Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 769 2289 7888
Fax : +86 769 2289 9312
[email protected]
Guangzhou*
ASSAB Tooling (Dong Guan)
Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Branch
Tel : +86 020 3482 8891
Fax : +86 020 3482 5329
[email protected]
Hong Kong*
ASSAB Steels (HK) Ltd.
Tel : +852 2487 1991
Fax : +852 2489 0938
[email protected]
Hunan*
ASSAB Tooling (Dong Guan)
Co., Ltd., Hunan Branch
Tel : +86 731 8452 3986
Fax : +86 731 8452 3986
[email protected]

Ningbo
ASSAB Tooling Technology
(Ningbo) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 574 8680 7188
Fax : +86 574 8680 7166
[email protected]

Qingdao
ASSAB Tooling (Qingdao)
Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 532 8752 9999
Fax : +86 532 8752 9588
[email protected]
Shanghai
ASSAB Tooling Technology
(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 21 2416 9688
Fax : +86 21 5442 4244
[email protected]
Suzhou*
ASSAB Tooling Technology (Shanghai)
Co., Ltd. - Suzhou Branch
Tel : +86 512 6900 0161
Fax : +86 512 6252 9227
[email protected]

Tianjin*
ASSAB Tooling (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,
Tianjin Branch
Tel : +86 22 2370 7808
Fax : +86 22 2370 7806
[email protected]
Wuhan
ASSAB Tooling Technology
(Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Wuhan Branch
Tel : +86 27 6930 0156
Fax : +86 27 6934 6326
[email protected]

Xiamen
ASSAB Tooling (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 592 562 4678
Fax : +86 592 568 3703
[email protected]

Xi'an*
ASSAB Tooling (Beijing) Co., Ltd.,
Xi'an Branch
Tel : +86 29 8525 5139
Fax : +86 29 8526 2080
[email protected]
Yantai*
ASSAB Tooling (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 535 693 4100
Fax : +86 535 693 4200
[email protected]
INDONESIA
Jakarta - Head Office
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 21 461 1314
Fax : +62 21 461 1306/
+62 21 461 1309
[email protected]
Bandung*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 22 5234 017
Fax : +62 22 5234 020
[email protected]
Cikarang*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 21 461 1314
Fax : +62 21 461 1306/
+62 21 461 1309
[email protected]

Medan*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 61 8477 935
Fax : +62 61 8477 936
[email protected]
Semarang*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 24 7071 2574/
+62 24 7658 4803
Fax : +62 24 674 7145
[email protected]
Surabaya
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 31 849 9606
Fax : +62 31 843 2040
[email protected]
Tangerang*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 21 5316 0795
Fax : +62 21 5316 0794
[email protected]
JAPAN
Tokyo - Head Office*
Bohler-Uddeholm KK
Tel : +81 3 5226 3771
Fax : +81 3 5226 6110
[email protected]
Fukuroi
Bohler-Uddeholm KK
Tel : +81 538 43 9240
Fax : +81 538 43 9244
[email protected]
Nagoya*
Bohler-Uddeholm KK
Tel : +81 52 979 5081
Fax : +81 52 933 6461
[email protected]

Osaka*
Bohler-Uddeholm KK
Tel : +81 6 6307 7621
Fax : +81 6 6307 7627
[email protected]
KOREA
Incheon - Head Office
ASSAB Steels (Korea) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +82 32 821 4300
Fax : +82 32 821 3311
[email protected]
Busan
ASSAB Steels (Korea) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +82 51 831 3315
Fax : +82 51 831 3319
[email protected]
Daegu
ASSAB Steels (Korea) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +82 53 384 3315
Fax : +82 53 384 3317
[email protected]

MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur - Head Office
ASSAB Steels (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Tel : +60 3 6189 0022
Fax : +60 3 6189 0044/55
[email protected]
Northern Branch
ASSAB Steels (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Tel : +60 4 507 2020
Fax : +60 4 507 6323
[email protected]
Southern Branch
ASSAB Steels (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Tel : +60 7 598 0011
Fax : +60 7 599 4890
[email protected]
PHILIPPINES
Laguna
ASSAB Pacific Pte Ltd Philippine Branch
Tel : +63 49 539 0441 to 0442
Fax : +63 49 539 1075
[email protected]

SINGAPORE
ASSAB Steels Singapore (Pte) Ltd
Tel : +65 6862 2200
Fax : +65 6862 0162
[email protected]
TAIWAN
Taipei - Head Office
ASSAB Steels Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Tel : +886 2 2299 2849
Fax : +886 2 2299 0147
[email protected]
Kaoshiung
ASSAB Steels Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Tel : +886 7 624 6600
Fax : +886 7 624 0012
[email protected]
Nantou
ASSAB Steels Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Tel : +886 49 225 1702
Fax : +886 49 225 3173
[email protected]
THAILAND
ASSAB Steels (Thailand) Ltd
Tel : +66 2 757 5017
Fax : +66 2 385 5943
[email protected]
VIETNAM
ASSAB Steels (Vietnam) Co. Ltd
Tel : +84 61 8899 099
Fax : +84 61 8899 191
[email protected]


* Sales office

11

Choosing the right steel is of vital importance. ASSAB engineers

and metallurgists are always ready to assist you in your choice of
the optimum steel grade and the best treatment for each application.
ASSAB not only supplies steel products with superior quality, we offer
the state-of-the-art machining, heat treatment and surface treatment
services to enhance steel properties to meet your requirement in
the shortest lead time. Using holistic approach as a one-stop solution
provider, we are more than just another tool steel supplier.
ASSAB and Uddeholm are present on every continent. This ensures
you that high-quality tool steels and local support are available
wherever you are. Together, we secure our position as the world's
leading supplier of tooling materials.
For more information, please visit www.assab.com