OTAI Special steel is a tool steel supplier, we supply a range of tool steel in stock. AISI L6 tool steel possesses a fine-grained structure and is noted for it’s shock resistance. Compared to other oil-hardened steels, L6 is a tough steel that possesses high strength and good non-deforming characteristics. This is due to the high nickel content in this alloy steel.
L6 Tool Steel is a versatile, oil-hardening tool steel that is characterized by very good toughness. L6 tool steel is suitable for use as tools, dies, and machine parts, which require a good combination of hardness and toughness. The relatively high nickel content results in an alloy with greater impact toughness compared to the other common oil-hardening grades.
This is one of the Special Purpose, low alloy tool steel grades, similar to the W group of low alloy tool steels. L6 contains nickel, chromium and molybdenum for a good combination of toughness and hardenability.
L6 Tool Steel Chemical Composition
| C | Mn | Si | Cr | Ni |
| 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.25 | 0.7 | 1.4 |
Supply Range of ASTM L6 Tool Steel
L6 Steel Round Bar: diameter 8mm – 800mm
L6 Steel Plate: thickness 2mm –300mm x width 200mm – 800mm
Other sizes of L6 steel or as per customer’s requirements
Properties
L6 tool steel is typically bought to meet chemistry requirements rather than physical requirements. For that reason, physical properties are generally not provided unless requested prior to production. Any material can be sent to a third party after production to be tested for physical properties.
Machinability
Machinability of L6 is very good. It rates 90% of the machinability of the W group water hardening low alloy steels rated 100% as a baseline.
L6 Tool Steel Heat Treatment
Hardening
Critical Temperature: Ac1: 1325°F (719°C)
Preheating: Heat at a rate not exceeding 400°F per hour (222°C per hour) to 1150-1250°F (621-677°C) and equalize.
Austenitizing (High Heat): Heat slowly from the preheat.
Furnace or Salt: 1450-1500°F (788-816C)
Soak for 30 minutes for the first inch (25.4 mm) of thickness, plus 15 minutes for each additional inch (25.4 mm).
Quenching: Oil to 150-125°F (66-51°C).
Note: Sizes under 3 inches (76.2mm) in cross section will achieve moderate hardness by cooling in a blast of air or pressurized gas.
Tempering: Temper immediately after quenching. Hold at temperature for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness, 4 hours minimum, then air cool to ambient temperature.
To minimize internal stresses in cross sections greater than 6 inches (152.4 mm) and to improve stability in tools that will be EDM’d after heat treatment, a soaking time of 8 to 10 hours at the tempering temperature is strongly recommended.
Cryogenic Treatment: Some prefer to do the cryogenic treatment as an extension of the quench from the austenitizing treatment. Others prefer to cryogenically treat after tempering.
Annealing
Annealing must be performed after hot working and before re-hardening.
Heat at a rate not exceeding 400°F per hour (222°C per hour) to 1400°F (760°C), and hold at temperature for 1 hour per inch (25.4mm) of maximum thickness; 2 hours minimum. Then cool slowly with the furnace at a rate not exceeding 50°F per hour (28°C per hour) to 1000°F (538°C). Continue cooling to ambient temperature in the furnace or in air. The resultant hardness should be a maximum of 235 HBW.
For improved machinability, hold at 1400°F (760°C) for1 hour per inch (25.4mm) of maximum thickness; 2 hours minimum. Then cool slowly with the furnace cool from 1400°F (760°C) to 1250°F (677°C), hold for 8 hours, then air cool to ambient temperature. The resultant hardness should be a maximum of 192 HBW.
L6 Tool Steel Applications
Typically used in machine tool applications such as bearings, springs, rollers or chuck parts.
Typical Applications for L6 Tool Steel include:
– Coining Dies
– Forming Rolls
– Knives
– Spindles
– Punches
– Trim Dies
– Blanking Dies
– Embossing Dies
– Forming Dies
– Shear Blades
Contact
If you have any L6 Tool Steel inquiries and questions for Price, Application, hot treatment, Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Email: Jack@otaisteel.com
Tel: +86-769- 23190193
Fax: +86-769-88705839