A-10 Tool Steel Material Information

A-10 is an air hardening, non-deforming tool steel with outstanding wear resistance and toughness properties.  This grade contains uniformly distributed graphitic particles for good machinability and non-seizing characteristics.  It also hardens from a low temperature range of 1450-1500 F (788-816 C) which minimizes size change and distortion in heat treatment.  This combination of properties makes A-10 material an ideal choice for a variety of applications such as gauges, arbors, forming rolls, shear blades and metal working dies and punches.

 Hardening A-10, heat slowly to 1450-1500 F (788-816 C) hold for 1 hour per inch (25.4mm) maximum.  Hold at this temperature until thoroughly and uniformly heated.  Air cool to under 100 F (38 C), preferably to 80-90 F (27-32 C) for maximum hardness response.  Pieces up to 2” (51mm) in thickness should be austenitized at 1450 F (788 C), 2”-4” (51-102 mm) at 1475 F (802 C) and over 4” (102mm) at 1500 F.  For large or intricately shaped pieces where preheating is considered advisable, preheat to 1220-1250 F (649-677 C) before transferring to the hardening furnace.  Best results are obtained by austenitizing in controlled atmosphere or vacuum furnaces or neutral salt baths.

 Tempering A-10, heat slowly to the tempering temperature; hold for 1 hour per inch (25.4mm) of thickness and then air cool.  For most applications the tempering temperature should be within 300-500 F (149-260 C).  Actual hardness obtained will depend on section size since it affects the quenching rate in hardening.

 A-10 is an oversized material,

· +/- .015 up to .040 on thickness

 · +/- .080 up to .125 on width

· Upto 1” +/- .007 up to .018

 · 1” to under 6” +/- .015 up to .040

 · 6” and up +/- .0625 upto .0250

Quench Medium:

Tempering Range:  300-500 F

· ½” upto 6”

 · Slight variations from typical analysis shown may occur in order to maintain the desired graphitizing potential.