M4 High Speed Steel - HSS PM M4 HC - ~PMHS6-5-4 - ~SKH 54

PM M4 HC high speed steel impresses with a very clean and homogeneous microstructure with evenly spread carbides which optimize its wear resistance. The high carbon and vanadium content gives PM M4 an exceptional abrasion resistance which makes it suitable for cold work punches, machining abrasive alloys and cutting applications that involve high speed.

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HSS PM M4 HC High Speed Steel: Standard values

Working hardness: 62 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 270HB

Chemical composition in %

C

1.250000

1.25

1.400000

1.4
Si

0.000000

0

0.450000

0.45
Mn

0.000000

0

0.400000

0.4
P

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
S

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
Cr

3.800000

3.8

4.500000

4.5
Mo

4.200000

4.2

5.000000

5
V

3.700000

3.7

4.200000

4.2
W

5.200000

5.2

6.000000

6

HSS PM M4 HC High Speed Steel: Technical Data

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HSS PM M4 HC High Speed Steel: Technical Properties

High speed steel based on powder metallurgy with better wear and pressure resistance than AISI M2, due to a very clean and homogeneous microstructure with evenly spread carbides optimising wear resistance.

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HSS PM M4 HC High Speed Steel: Applications

stamping tools, precision cutting tools, machining tools, broaching tools, rotary knives, woodworking tools, gear shaper cutters, circular saw segments, metal saws, screw dies, countersinks, chasers, cold extrusion punches, deep drawing dies, plastic molds with high wear resistance

Chemical designation: Working hardness: 62 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 270HB

C

1.250000

1.25

1.400000

1.4
Si

0.000000

0

0.450000

0.45
Mn

0.000000

0

0.400000

0.4
P

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
S

0.000000

0

0.030000

0.03
Cr

3.800000

3.8

4.500000

4.5
Mo

4.200000

4.2

5.000000

5
V

3.700000

3.7

4.200000

4.2
W

5.200000

5.2

6.000000

6

High speed steel based on powder metallurgy with better wear and pressure resistance than AISI M2, due to a very clean and homogeneous microstructure with evenly spread carbides optimising wear resistance.

stamping tools, precision cutting tools, machining tools, broaching tools, rotary knives, woodworking tools, gear shaper cutters, circular saw segments, metal saws, screw dies, countersinks, chasers, cold extrusion punches, deep drawing dies, plastic molds with high wear resistance

HSS PM M4 HC General Information

Where can HSS PM M4 HC be used?

High Speed Steel a high alloyed tool steel, often used for drills, taps, turning tools and broaches, has a 3-4 times higher cutting speed without losing its hardness up to a temperature of 1112°F (600°C). In comparison, ordinary cold work tool steel loses its hardness at about 392°F (200°C). The foundation for its abilities can be found in its alloys as well as its martensitic microstructure.

Tungsten (W): Forms carbides (especially tungsten carbide) which increase the red hot hardness, tempering resistance and wear resistance.

Molybdenum (Mo): Molybdenum can replace tungsten and has the same effect as tungsten at half the mass. Molybdenum does form carbides, increases red hot hardness, temper- and wear resistance but has to undergo a more complex heat treatment.

Vanadium (V): It forms vanadium carbide, which, as in some other steels, increases wear resistance because of its hardness (601 HBN / 58 HRC).

Chromium (Cr): Is involved in carbide formation and improves through hardenability. This enables tools with large cross sections to be hardened.

Carbon (C): Is needed both to form martensite and carbides. The proportion is adjusted in line with the proportion of the other elements.

Cobalt (Co): Increases the temperature up to which the material can be used, meaning above which temperature martensite transforms. It prevents the growth of precipitated carbides.

What is PM Steel?

PM Steel (Powder Metallurgy) is produced by melting steel in an induction oven and blasting it with an inert gas that disperses the steel into very small droplets. These droplets then solidify again within seconds leaving extremely fine and virtually segregation free powder. This powder is then filled into a capsule and all air is removed from the capsule. Then the capsule is heated and pressure is applied to it for sintering. After an appropriate time the capsule is milled away from the steel and what's left is a steel block with a clean and homogeneous microstructure.  

Is M4 High Speed Steel (HSS PM M4 HC) a stainless steel?

To be classified as a stainless steel it has to have a mass fraction of 10.5% of chromium. With a chromium content of 3.8 - 4.5% the PM M4 HC is not a stainless steel.

Is PM M4 HC corrosion resistant?

Though the PM M4 HC has some corrosion resistance but does not have enough to be suited for corrosive environments. Corrosion resistance can be enhanced with coating the material, limiting exposure and having a good maintenance routine and storage practices can help to prevent corrosion. 

Is  HSS PM M4 HC magnetizable?

The PM M4 HC is a ferromagnetic material which can be magnetized and is suitable for magnetic clamping.

Heat treatment for HSS PM M4 HC

Annealing M4 High Speed Steel

Heat the workpiece uniformly to a temperature of 1550 - 1600°F (843 - 871°C), hold for 2 hours and then slowly cool by a rate of 20 - 40°F (11 - 22°C) per hour to a temperature of 1100°F (593°C).

aisi m4 hss steel heat treatment schemeaisi m4 hss steel heat treatment scheme

Stress relieving HSS PM M4 HC

After machining the material roughly, heat it to a temperature of 1110 - 1290°F (599 - 699°C) for about 2 hours, then slowly cool down and finish machining after cooling.

Hardening M4 High Speed Steel (HSS PM M4 HC)

It is recommended to harden PM M4 HC in a salt bath, vacuum furnace or in a controlled atmosphere.

Preheat PM M4 HC uniformly to 1450 - 1550°F (788 - 843°C), then raise the temperature to a range of 2175 - 2225°F (1191 - 1218°C) and soak slightly according to the chosen working hardness, avoid over-soaking. Finish the process with cooling the part down to a temperature of 100 - 120°F (38 - 49°C) and quench.

Decarburization of HSS PM M4 HC

This steel grade is susceptible to decarburization which can be prevented with a controlled atmosphere furnace during heat treatment.

Quenching HSS PM M4HC

• Air
• Oil
• Vacuum
• Molten salt (temperature of 1000 - 1099°F (538 - 593°C)

Tempering High Speed Steel M4 HC

Tempering should be done straight after quenching. Heat the parts uniformly to a temperature range of 1000 - 1200°F (538 - 649°C) for the first temper.

A double temper is required, with a cool down to ambient temperature in between tempers and a third temper recommended for maximum wear resistance when hardening from 2100°F (1149°C).

Dimensional changes of M4 High Speed Steel

As for other steels the PM M4 HC will display dimensional changes with heating and cooling the material. To reduce dimensional changes like distortion or warping it is important to control the heating and cooling rates or employ jigs and fixtures to restrain the material. It is always important to allow for those changes by giving an allowance on the material and always to be mindful when tight dimensions are needed.

Sub-Zero treatment for PM M4 HC

Treating HSS PM M4 HC at sub-zero temperatures can increase the wear resistance, dimensional stability, enhance toughness and relieve stress. Considering temperature, time and applications, with their needed properties, can prevent unwanted outcomes like cracking, excessive brittlement, reintroducing stresses or even risking tool life. 

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) for HSS PM M4 HC

As a non contact, thermal energy based machining process it can be used for hard materials like the PM M4 HC. Electrodes, surface finish and heat affected zones should be considered before EDM is used for this material grade. Heat affected zones might need further heat treatment after EDM to align the microstructure in the workpiece and EDM may leave a rougher surface with a recast layer which can be removed by stoning and polishing.

Surface treatment for HSS PM M4 HC

Treating the surface of HSS PM M4 HC can enhance wear, corrosion resistance and performance. Following are a few examples of surface treatments with their advantages and applications.

Coating PM M4 HC

Coating the material grade PM M4 HC can increase its wear resistance and corrosion resistance and reduce friction. This method is commonly used for cutting tools or drills.  

Nitriding PM M4 HC

Nitriding enhances the surface hardness and therefore the wear resistance of components and tools by introducing nitrogen into the surface of the material. This process maintains dimensional stability and is often used for components where the dimensional accuracy is very important. 

Carburizing PM M4 HC

Carburizing also enhances hardness and wear resistance by introducing carbon into the material surface. This method is often used for components subjected to high contact stresses.

Carbonitriding PM M4 HC

Carbonitriding introduces a mixture of carbon and nitrogen into the surface of the material. This can give components or tools improved wear resistance and a longer service life. This method is often used for gears or bearings which have to have a hard surface but a tough core. 

Physical Vapor Deposition for PM M4 HC

This process layers the parts with a very thin layer improving the surface hardness and wear resistance. PVD can lower friction and is often used for tools with high cutting speeds. 

Machinability of M4 High Speed Steel (PM M4 HC)

Forging HSS PM M4 HC

Heat PM M4 HC slowly to a temperature of 2000 - 2100°F (1093 - 1149°C). Do not continue forging under the temperature of 1700°F (927°C), reheat as often as needed. When forging is finished, cool the parts down slowly in lime or ash.

Welding High Speed Steel PM M4 HC

When welding PM M4 HC the parts should be preheated and similar fillers to the base material should be used.

Grinding HSS PM M4 HC

Local heat on the surface should be avoided during grinding as it may alter the temper of the workpiece.

Wear resistance of PM M4 HC

PM M4 HC has a wear resistance of 6 on a scale where 1 is low and 6 is high.

Tensile strength of HSS PM M4 HC

PM M4 HC has a tensile strength of approx. 133.4 KSI on delivery (0.145 KSI = 1MPa). In order to reach this value, a tensile test is performed to show how much force is needed to stretch or elongate a sample before it breaks.

Working hardness of PM M4 HC

The working hardness for HSS PM M4 HC is 658 - 711 BHN (62 - 65 HRC). 

Specific heat capacity for HSS PM M4 HC

The specific heat capacity of the PM M4 HC at room temperature is 0.439 J/g-°C (0.105 BTU/lb-°F). This value shows how much heat is needed to heat 1lb of material by 1 Fahrenheit.

Continuous TTT-diagram for PM M4 HC

The following diagram shows the micro changes over time at different temperatures which are important during heat treatment. They show the optimum conditions for the processes such as hardening, annealing and normalizing.

aisi m4 steel continuous ztu-diagram ttt-chart structural changesaisi m4 steel continuous ztu-diagram ttt-chart structural changes

Steel Properties for PM M4 HC

Density for High Speed Steel PM M4 HC

Typically the density of High Speed Steel PM4 HC is 0.298 lb/in3 (8.26g/cm3) at room temperature.

Thermal conductivity of HSS PM M4 HC

The heat conductivity for PM M4 HC is at 23.5 W/(m*K) (163 BTU/(h-ft*°F)) at room temperature.

Heat conductivity table
Value At a temperature of
23.5 68°F
26.8 662°F
36.2 1292°F

Thermal expansion coefficient

The following table shows expansion or contraction at various temperatures, which may be very important for high temperature works or when working with high temperature changes.

Medium thermal expansion coefficiente
10-6m/(m • K) At a temperature of
10.6 68 - 212°F
11.7 68 - 392°F
11.9 68 - 572°F
12.4 68 - 752°F

Specific electrical resistivity for PM M4 HC

You can find the temperature dependent material constant (Resistivity) in the following table. The electrical conductivity is the reciprocal value of the specific resistance.

Table of the specific electrical resistivity
Value At a temperature of
0.53 (Ohm*mm²)/m 68 °F

Modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus) for PM M4 HC

The stress and strain modulus or modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus) for High Speed Steel M2 is at 31.000 KSI (214 GPa). 

Is PM M4 HC a knife steel?

PM M4 has some great characteristics which lend themselves for knife making. Its excellent wear  resistance, good toughness, high hardness as well as fine microstructure produce knives that hold a sharp edge for a long time and which are resistant to chipping. That said it is not corrosion resistant which means care in moist and acidic environments has to be taken. Its hardness, though a plus when it comes to edge retention, makes it harder to sharpen PM M4 HC knives as well as makes it unsuitable for applications needing extreme flexibility and impact resistance.

Conclusion

HSS PM M4 HC has a great combination of properties which can be assigned to its Powder Metallurgy process. It has great wear resistance, toughness, high hardness capabilities with a fine and uniform microstructure. Those properties make this material a great choice for tools and knives that need to keep an edge over a longer time, components like gears and bearing and for applications needing high speed.  

HSS PM M4 HC Datasheet

As a steel supplier we provide you with the datasheet for High Speed Steel PM M4 HC in PDF format.

High Speed Steel alternatives or equivalent

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Disclaimer

The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.