CALMAX

UDDEHOLM
CALMAX

CALMAX

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 518

P20

1.2311

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

420 F Mod.

PRODAX
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

1.2714

SKT 4

1.2714

SKT 4

H13

1.2344

SKD 61

H13 Premium

1.2344 ESR

SKD 61

4340

1.6582

SNCM8

ASSAB 709

4140

1.7225

SCM4

ASSAB 760

1050

1.1730

S50C

ASSAB 705

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 D140711

CALMAX

General

Properties

Calmax is a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloyed

steel characterised by:

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

High toughness
Good wear resistance
Good through-hardening properties

Temperature

20C

200C

400C

Density
kg/m3

7 770

7 720

7 650

Modulus of elasticity
MPa

194 000

188 000

178 000

Coefficient of
thermal expansion
per C from 20C

12.0 x 10 -6

13.0 x 10 -6

Thermal
conductivity
W/m C

27

32

Specific heat
J/kg C

455

525

608

Good dimensional stability during hardening

Good polishability
Good weldability
Good flame and induction hardenability
Typical analysis %

C
0.6

Si
0.35

Mn
0.8

Cr
4.5

Mo
0.5

Standard
specification

None

Delivery condition

Soft annealed to approx. 200 HB

Colour code

White / Violet

V
0.2

Calmax is a steel suitable for both cold work and plastic

moulding applications.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
Approximate compressive strength at room temperature.
Hardness

56 HRC

58 HRC

60 HRC

Compressive
strength, Rmc

2300 MPa

2500 MPa

2700 MPa

Compressive yield
strength, Rc0.2

1900 MPa

2000 MPa

2100 MPa

IMPACT STRENGTH
Approximate values at room temperature for different
tempering temperatures. Hardened at 960C.
Quenched in air. Tempered twice.
Calmax used for brass stamping application.

Calmax used as plastic injection mould that demands higher

hardness and wear resistance.

CALMAX

Cold work applications

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
General blanking and forming
Heavy duty blanking and forming
Deep drawing
Coining
Cold extrusion dies with complicated geometry
Rolls
Shear blades
Prototype tooling

TRADITIONAL PRESSWORK STEELS

The majority of presswork tools used nowadays are
manufactured using traditional tool steels such as O1,
A2, D2, D3 or D6. These steels offer an apparent
adequate wear resistance, and their hardness range
is suitable for most applications. However, the poor
toughness, flame and induction hardenability and
weldability of these grades often results in low
productivity and high maintenance costs due to
unexpected tool failure. For this reason, the general
presswork tool steel Calmax has been developed.
The aim of Calmax is to secure an optimal tooling
economy, i.e., the lowest tooling costs per part
produced.

DEMANDS OF
CURRENT PRESSWORK TOOLING
The pressworking industry has gone through some
considerable changes in the last decades. Stainless steel
and surface coated strip have been commercialised
and high speed presses have been developed. To these
technological advances, just-in-time (JIT) manufacture
and the moves toward increased productivity, tool life
guarantees must be added. The traditional presswork
tool steels are still routinely specified and selected but
often result in poor tool performance and productivity.
The well balanced properties profile of Calmax is
much better matched to modern work materials and
manufacturing methods. Calmax offers a high degree of
safety which is essential for optimal tooling performance
and maximum productivity.

Calmax is used as blanking and piercing tools for the progressive die.

CALMAX

Plastic moulding applications

Large plastic injection mould. The inserts are made of Calmax.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
Long run moulds
Moulds for reinforced plastics
Moulds for compression moulding
The excellent combination of toughness and wear
resistance makes Calmax suitable for different moulding
applications. Moulds made in Calmax will have
good resistance to abrasion and give a safe and long
production life.

RESISTANCE TO FAILURE MECHANISMS

ASSAB grade

Abrasive Adhesive
Gross
Chipping
wear
wear
cracking

Deformation

ASSAB DF-3
CALMAX
CALDIE
ASSAB XW-10
ASSAB 88
ASSAB XW-41
ASSAB XW-5

PHOTO-ETCHING AND POLISHING

Calmax has a very homogeneous structure. This
coupled with its low content of non-metallic inclusions
(due to vacuum degassing during manufacturing) ensures
accurate and consistent pattern reproduction after the
photo-etching process and very good surface finish after
polishing. Etching should be done in a media used for
steel with high chromium content.

PROPERTY COMPARISON CHART

ASSAB grade

Wear
resistance

Toughness

Polishability

CALMAX
ASSAB 8407 SUPREME
ASSAB XW-10

CALMAX

Heat treatment
QUENCHING MEDIA

SOFT ANNEALING
Protect the steel and heat through to 860C, holding
time 2 hours. Cool in furnace 20C/h to 770C, then
10C/h to 650C and subsequently freely in air.
STRESS RELIEVING

Vacuum furnace with sufficient overpressure

Martempering bath or fluidised bed at 200 - 550C
followed by forced air cooling
Warm oil, approx. 80C

After rough machining, the tool should be heated

through to 650C, holding time 2 hours. Cool slowly to
500C, then freely in air.
HARDENING
Preheating: 600 - 750C
Austenitising temperature: 950 - 970C, normally 960C
Temperature
C

Soaking time
minutes

Hardness before
tempering

950

30

622 HRC

960

30

632 HRC

970

30

642 HRC

Soaking time = Time at hardening temperature after the

tool is fully heated through.
Protect the part against decarburisation and oxidation during
hardening.

CCT graph
Austenitising temperature 960C. Holding time 30 minutes.

Forced air/gas

Note 1: Temper the tool as soon as its temperature

reaches 50 - 70C.
Note 2: In order to obtain the optimum properties for
the tool, the cooling rate should be as fast as possible
while maintaining an acceptable level of distortion.
Note 3: Quenching in oil gives an increased risk for
dimensional changes and cracks.
Hardness and retained austenite as functions of
austenitising temperature

CALMAX

Surface treatment
TEMPERING
Choose the tempering temperature according to the
hardness required by reference to the tempering graph.
Temper at least twice with intermediate cooling to
room temperature. The lowest tempering temperature
which should be used is 180C. The minimum holding
time at temperature is 2 hours.
Tempering graph

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.
NITRIDING
Two commonly used nitriding processes are ion nitriding
and gas nitriding. Ion nitriding is normally performed at
a lower temperature than gas nitriding and is, therefore,
the preferred method for Calmax when a substrate
hardness of ~54 HRC is required.
Time
h

Case
hardness
HV

Case
depth*
m

Substrate
hardness
HRC

Ion nitriding
at 465C

18

1075

200

54

Gas nitriding
at 510C

12

1075

200

52

Process

* C ase depth is the distance from the surface where hardness is 50 HV

higher than the matrix hardness

The nitriding temperature used should be 15 - 25C lower than the highest
previously used tempering temperature

DIMENSIONAL CHANGES
The dimensional changes during hardening and
tempering vary depending on temperature, type
of equipment and cooling media used during heat
treatment.
The size and geometric shape of the tool are also of
essential importance. During toolmaking, provide
adequate machining allowance to compensate for
distortion. Use 0.20% as a guideline for Calmax. Any
distortion arising from hardening and tempering can
then be adjusted during finish machining.
An example of dimensional changes of a plate, hardened
and tempered under ideal conditions, is shown in the
graph below.
Heat treatment: Hardening 960C/30 min., cooling in air
and tempering 2 x 2 h at various temperatures
Specimen size: 100 x 100 x 10 mm

A thick case depth considerably reduces the toughness

of the tool. The case depth, which can be controlled
by the nitriding time, should be selected to suit the
application in question.
CVD
Calmax can also be CVD coated but the deposition
temperature should not exceed 960C. The tool should
be rehardened after being coated.
PVD
PVD coatings can be deposited at temperatures between
200C and 500C. If 200C is used, the Calmax
substrate hardness will be higher than that obtained
at a deposition temperature of 500C. However,
the adhesion of the coating on the steel is better if a
deposition temperature of 500C is used. The PVD
deposition temperature should be approx. 20C lower
than the highest previously used tempering temperature.

CALMAX

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

Condition: Soft annealed condition ~200 HB

TURNING

Cutting data
parameters

Rough
turning

Fine
turning

Fine
turning

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min

150 - 200

Feed (f)
mm/r

0.2 - 0.4

0.05 - 0.2

0.05 - 0.3

2-4

0.5 - 2

0.5 - 3

P20 - P30
Coated
carbide

P10
Coated
carbide or
cermet

Depth of cut (ap)

mm
Carbide
designation
ISO

Turning
with HSS

Turning with carbide

200 - 250

Milling with carbide

Cutting data
parameters

Rough milling

Fine milling

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min

160 - 240

240 - 280

Feed (f z)
mm/tooth

0.2 - 0.4

0.1 - 0.2

2-5

P20 - P40
Coated carbide

P10 - P20
Coated carbide
or cermet

Depth of cut (ap)

mm

20 - 25

Carbide
designation
ISO

End milling
Type of end mill
Cutting data
parameters

High speed steel

Solid
carbide

Carbide
indexable
insert

High speed
steel

120 - 150

150 - 200

40 - 451

Feed (f z)
mm/tooth

0.006 - 0.2 2

0.06 - 0.2 2

0.01 - 0.352

Carbide
designation
ISO

P15 - P40
Coated
carbide

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min

DRILLING
High speed steel twist drill
Drill diameter
mm

Cutting speed (vc)

m/min

Feed (f)
mm/r

13 - 15*

0.05 - 0.10

5 - 10

13 - 15*

0.10 - 0.20

10 - 15

13 - 15*

0.20 - 0.25

15 - 20

13 - 15*

0.25 - 0.30

1
2

For coated HSS end mill, vc= 55 - 60 m/min

Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter

GRINDING

* For coated HSS drill, v = 23 - 25 m/min

c

Wheel recommendation
Soft annealed
condition

Hardened
condition

Face grinding
straight wheel

A 46 HV

A 46 HV

Face grinding
segments

A 24 GV

A 36 GV

Cylindrical grinding

A 46 LV

A 60 KV

Internal grinding

A 46 JV

A 60 JV

Profile grinding

A 100 LV

A 120 JV

Type of grinding

Carbide drill
Type of drill
Cutting data
parameters

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f)
mm/r
1
2

Indexable
insert

120 - 150

0.10 - 0.352

Solid
carbide

210 - 230

0.03 - 0.12 2

Drill with internal cooling channel and brazed carbide tip

Depending on drill diameter

Brazed
carbide1

70 - 100

0.15 - 0.40 2

CALMAX

Welding

Electrical discharge machining

There is a general tendency for tool steel to crack

after welding. When welding is required, take proper
precautions with regards to joint preparation, filler
material selection, preheating, welding procedure and
postweld heat treatment to ensure good welding results.

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.

The joints should be prepared properly.

Repair welds should be made at elevated temperature.
Make the first two layers with the same electrode
diameter and/or current.
Always keep the arc length as short as possible. The
electrode should be angled at 90 to the joint sides to
minimise undercut. In addition, the electrode should
be held at an angle of 75 - 80 to the direction of
forward travel.
For large repairs, weld the initial layers with a soft
filler material (buffering layer).
The TIG method is recommended when the tool is to
be polished or photo-etched, and it is necessary to work
with an electrode type of matching composition.
Welding
method

TIG

MMA

200 - 250C

200 - 250C

(hardened 56 - 58 HRC)

(hardened 56 - 58 HRC)

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. 25C below the highest previous tempering
temperature.

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

Preheating (soft annealed ~200 HB) (soft annealed ~200 HB)

temp.1
180 - 220C
180 - 220C

Filler
material

CALMAX / CARMO
TIG-WELD
UTP A73G2
UTP A67S

Maximum
interpass
temp.2

Postweld
cooling

Hardness
after
welding

400C
(soft annealed ~200 HB)
350C
(hardened 56 HRC)
250C
(hardened 58 HRC)

CALMAX / CARMO
WELD
UTP 67S

400C
(soft annealed ~200 HB)
350C
(hardened 56 HRC)
250C
(hardened 58 HRC)

20 - 40C/h for the first 2 hours, then freely in

air < 70C
CALMAX / CARMO
TIG-WELD
58 - 61 HRC
UTP A73G2
53 - 56 HRC
UTP A67S
55 - 58 HRC

CALMAX / CARMO
WELD
58 - 61 HRC
UTP 67S
55 - 58 HRC

Heat treatment after welding

Hardened
condition

Temper 10 - 20C below the original tempering

temperature.

Soft
annealed
condition

Soft anneal according to the Heat treatment

recommendation.

1 Preheating

temperature must be established throughout the tool and must

be maintained for the entire welding process, to prevent weld cracking.
For hardened and tempered tool, the actual preheat temperature used is
typically lower than the original tempering temperature to prevent a drop
in hardness.
2 The temperature of the tool in the weld area immediately before the second
and subsequent pass of a multiple pass weld. When exceeded, there is a
risk of distortion of the tool or soft zones around the weld.

CALMAX

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

CALMAX

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

Cikarang*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 21 461 1314
Fax: +62 21 461 1306/
+62 21 461 1309
[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]

Tel : +62 21 5316 0720-1

Jiangxi*
ASSAB Tooling (Dong Guan)
Co, Ltd., Jiangxi Branch
Tel : +86 769 2289 7888
Fax : +86 769 2289 9312
[email protected]

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
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