1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar (D6 Cold Work Die Steel)

Product Description

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar is a premium ledeburitic high-carbon, high-chromium cold work die steel with added tungsten, offering an exceptional combination of extreme wear resistance, superior cutting edge retention, excellent dimensional stability, and adequate toughness. With a carefully engineered chemical composition featuring approximately 2.1% carbon, 12% chromium, and 0.7% tungsten, our 1.2436 flat bar delivers outstanding performance in applications requiring maximum resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear combined with deep hardenability. Available in precision-milled finishes and tight dimensional tolerances, this specialized flat steel bar is ideal for demanding applications in industrial cutting tools, heavy-duty punching and blanking dies, severe wear components, cold extrusion tooling, and other applications where extreme wear resistance and edge retention are critical. Unlike standard D2-type tool steels, FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 flat bars provide significantly enhanced wear resistance and edge-holding capability, ensuring extended tool life in the most challenging industrial cutting and forming applications. Each bar undergoes comprehensive quality control to ensure consistent properties, precise dimensions, and superior surface quality for reliable performance in critical tooling applications.

Flat Bar Specifications

FUSHUN METAL offers 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar in a comprehensive range of specifications to meet diverse application requirements:

Available Dimensions

* Custom dimensions available upon request

Dimensional Tolerances

Surface Finishes

• Hot Rolled: Standard industrial finish
• Hot Rolled and Annealed: Stress relieved for better machinability
• Hot Rolled, Annealed, and Pickled: Clean scale-free surface
• Precision Ground: Four sides ground with precision tolerances
• Fine Milled: High-quality surface finish with tight tolerances
• Polished: Smoother finish for reduced post-processing requirements
• Custom Finishes: Available upon request for specific applications

Supply Conditions

• Annealed: Soft condition for optimal machinability (230-260 HB)
• Pre-hardened: Hardened and tempered to 40-45 HRC for applications requiring moderate hardness
• Fully Heat Treated: Hardened and tempered to 60-64 HRC for immediate use
• Custom Heat Treatment: Available to meet specific hardness and toughness requirements

Packaging Options

• Individual Plastic Wrapping: For protection against environmental contaminants
• Wooden Crates: For secure shipping of multiple bars
• Steel Strapped Bundles: For economical shipping of standard orders
• VCI Paper Wrapping: For enhanced corrosion protection
• Oil Coating: Available for additional corrosion protection
• Custom Packaging: Available to meet specific handling and storage requirements
• Anti-Rust Treatment: Specialized rust prevention for long-term storage

Applications

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar is specifically engineered for applications requiring an optimal combination of extreme wear resistance, edge retention, and dimensional stability:

Cutting and Blanking Applications

• Heavy-duty industrial shear blades
• High-performance slitter knives
• Paper and cardboard cutting knives
• Precision trimming dies
• Severe-duty blanking punches and dies
• Metal stamping tools
• Guillotine knives for high-strength materials
• Fine blanking tools

Cold Forming Applications

• Heavy-duty cold forming dies
• Severe-service drawing dies
• Deep drawing punches for abrasive materials
• Progressive dies for high-strength materials
• Thread rolling dies
• Coining dies for hard materials
• Cold extrusion tools for abrasive conditions
• Bending dies for high-strength alloys

Severe Wear Applications

• Premium wear plates for abrasive environments
• High-pressure forming rolls
• Brick and tile molding tools
• Powder compaction dies
• High-stress guide rails
• Wear-resistant bushings and sleeves
• Straightening rolls for hard materials
• Draw plates for high-strength wire

Precision Components

• Precision measuring tool components
• Master gauges requiring wear resistance
• Precision scraping tools
• Inspection fixtures for abrasive parts
• Calibration tool components
• Wear-resistant alignment fixtures
• Precision machine components
• Gauging surfaces in high-wear environments

Specialty Applications

• Plastic mold components for glass-filled resins
• Woodworking tools for exotic hardwoods
• Cutting tools for composite materials
• Burnishing and sizing tools
• Ceramic forming tools
• Knurling tools for hard materials
• Precision scrapers and doctor blades
• Specialty knives for industrial cutting

Chemical Composition

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar features the following nominal composition per DIN 17350/EN ISO 4957 standards:

Key Element Functions

• Carbon (2.00-2.30%): Provides extremely high hardness and forms carbides with chromium and tungsten. The high carbon content ensures maximum hardness and wear resistance, surpassing standard D2-type steels.
• Chromium (11.00-13.00%): Forms hard, wear-resistant chromium carbides and contributes to corrosion resistance. The high chromium content creates a significant volume of primary carbides that are critical for exceptional abrasion resistance.
• Tungsten (0.60-0.80%): A key differentiating element in 1.2436 that forms extremely hard tungsten carbides, enhancing wear resistance and edge retention beyond standard D2-type steels. Also improves hot hardness and temper resistance.
• Molybdenum (0.70-1.00%): Enhances hardenability, hot strength, and temper resistance. Works synergistically with tungsten to improve overall performance.
• Vanadium (0.10-0.30%): Forms fine, hard vanadium carbides that further enhance wear resistance and help control grain size during heat treatment.
• Silicon (0.10-0.60%): Improves hardenability and contributes to overall strength.
• Manganese (0.20-0.60%): Enhances hardenability and stability of carbides.

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Our 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar offers an impressive combination of physical and mechanical properties that make it ideal for demanding applications:

Physical Properties

Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)

Mechanical Properties (Hardened and Tempered to 62-64 HRC)

Dimensional Change During Heat Treatment

Approximate dimensional changes during hardening (oil quenching from 980°C):

Special Features of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar

Our 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar offers several distinctive advantages that set it apart from conventional tool steel products:

Superior Wear Resistance

1.2436 provides exceptional resistance to various wear mechanisms:

• Extreme Abrasive Wear Resistance: The high volume of hard chromium and tungsten carbides provides outstanding resistance to abrasive wear, exceeding the performance of standard D2-type steels by 15-20%.
• Exceptional Edge Retention: Superior ability to maintain sharp cutting edges during prolonged use, making it ideal for industrial cutting applications where edge longevity is critical.
• Enhanced Adhesive Wear Resistance: Excellent resistance to galling and metal-to-metal wear in forming applications, reducing tool maintenance requirements.
• Optimized Carbide Structure: The carefully controlled carbide size, distribution, and composition provides balanced wear properties without excessive brittleness.
• Extended Service Life: Tools made from 1.2436 typically last 30-50% longer than those made from standard high-carbon, high-chromium steels in severe wear applications.
• Resistance to Multiple Wear Mechanisms: Provides simultaneous protection against abrasion, adhesion, and erosion wear modes often encountered in industrial applications.
• Consistent Wear Performance: Maintains wear resistance properties throughout the service life of the tool, ensuring predictable performance.

Excellent Cutting Performance

1.2436 delivers exceptional results in cutting applications:

• Superior Edge Holding: The tungsten-modified carbide structure provides exceptional edge retention for cutting applications, reducing the frequency of resharpening.
• Cleaner Cutting Action: The high hardness and optimized carbide distribution allow for cleaner, more precise cuts with reduced burr formation.
• Resistance to Edge Chipping: Good balance of hardness and toughness to resist edge chipping in interrupted cutting operations.
• Enhanced Performance on Hard Materials: Particularly effective when cutting high-strength materials where standard tool steels show rapid edge deterioration.
• Consistent Cutting Quality: Maintains cutting performance over extended production runs, ensuring consistent part quality.
• Multiple Resharpening Capability: Retains properties through multiple resharpening cycles, maximizing tool value.
• Reduced Downtime: Less frequent need for tool changes and maintenance, improving production efficiency.

Enhanced Dimensional Stability

1.2436 offers excellent dimensional stability for precision applications:

• Precise Heat Treatment Response: Controlled and predictable dimensional changes during heat treatment.
• High Resistance to Deformation: Maintains shape and dimensions under high mechanical stresses.
• Low Thermal Expansion: Relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, providing dimensional stability across operating temperature ranges.
• Minimal Warpage: Reduced tendency for warpage during heat treatment compared to less alloyed tool steels.
• Long-term Dimensional Stability: Maintains critical dimensions over extended periods, important for gauging and precise tooling applications.
• Good Response to Stress Relieving: Effectively responds to stress-relieving treatments to enhance dimensional stability.
• Consistent Through-section Properties: Uniform properties throughout the cross-section, ensuring consistent performance.

Manufacturing Excellence

FUSHUN METAL employs specialized processes to ensure our 1.2436 flat bars deliver reliable performance in critical applications:

• Controlled Melting Process: Precise control of composition and cleanliness to ensure consistent properties, with special attention to tungsten and carbon distribution.
• Optimized Forging: Carefully controlled forging procedures to ensure uniform carbide distribution and prevent carbide networking.
• Specialized Annealing: Proper spheroidizing annealing to optimize machinability and subsequent heat treatment response.
• Precision Milling: Advanced milling capabilities to achieve tight dimensional tolerances and excellent surface finish.
• Controlled Heat Treatment: Precise heat treatment parameters to achieve optimal hardness and microstructure.
• Rigorous Inspection: Comprehensive testing to ensure consistent properties, dimensions, and surface quality.
• Carbide Distribution Control: Special processing to ensure optimal size and distribution of carbides for maximum wear resistance without excessive brittleness.
• Decarburization Prevention: Special handling to minimize surface decarburization, preserving surface properties.

Heat Treatment Recommendations

For customers performing their own heat treatment of 1.2436 tool steel flat bar, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Stress Relieving

• Heat slowly to 650-700°C (1200-1290°F)
• Hold for minimum 2 hours per 25mm of thickness
• Cool slowly in furnace to below 500°C (930°F), then air cool
• Recommended before extensive machining to minimize distortion

Annealing

• Heat slowly to 850-880°C (1560-1615°F)
• Hold for 1-2 hours per 25mm of thickness
• Cool very slowly in furnace at a rate not exceeding 10°C (18°F) per hour to 650°C (1200°F)
• Continue cooling in furnace
• Resulting hardness: 230-260 HB

Hardening

• Preheating: Step 1: 550-600°C (1020-1110°F)
• Preheating: Step 2: 800-850°C (1470-1560°F)
• Austenitizing: 970-1000°C (1780-1830°F)
  • Lower temperatures for better toughness, higher temperatures for maximum hardness and wear resistance
• Holding time: 15-30 minutes after thorough heating
• Quenching options:
  • Oil: Preferred method for most applications
  • Air: Only for simple shapes and small sections
  • Martempering: Recommended for complex shapes to minimize distortion
  • Vacuum: Excellent option for premium tooling with minimal distortion
• Achievable hardness after quenching: 63-66 HRC

Tempering

• Temper immediately after cooling to room temperature
• Double or triple tempering recommended (minimum two tempers)
• Tempering temperature selection based on desired final hardness:
  • 150-180°C (300-355°F): 62-64 HRC (maximum hardness with minimal toughness)
  • 180-250°C (355-480°F): 60-62 HRC (balanced hardness and adequate toughness)
  • 250-300°C (480-570°F): 58-60 HRC (increased toughness with good hardness)
  • 450-500°C (840-930°F): 54-56 HRC (maximum toughness, but reduced hardness)
• Avoid tempering in the range of 300-450°C (570-840°F) if possible due to potential temper brittleness
• Hold at temperature for minimum 2 hours per temper
• Cool to room temperature between tempering cycles
• Cryogenic treatment (optional): -70°C to -196°C (-95°F to -320°F) between quenching and first temper to convert retained austenite and enhance dimensional stability

Surface Treatments (Optional)

• Nitriding: Can be performed after final heat treatment to further enhance surface hardness (up to 1200 HV)
• PVD Coating: TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, or other coatings can be applied after final heat treatment for enhanced surface properties
• Vapor Deposition: CVD or PVD processes can be used to deposit wear-resistant coatings

Quality Assurance and Testing

Every batch of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our exacting quality standards:

• Chemical Composition Analysis: Spectrographic testing to verify precise element content critical for performance, with special attention to carbon, chromium, and tungsten levels.
• Mechanical Property Testing: Hardness testing to confirm proper annealing or heat treatment.
• Microstructural Examination: Metallographic analysis to verify proper structure, grain size, and carbide distribution.
• Carbide Assessment: Specialized evaluation of carbide type, size, and distribution critical for wear resistance.
• Ultrasonic Testing: 100% ultrasonic inspection available to detect internal defects and ensure soundness.
• Magnetic Particle Inspection: Available to detect surface or near-surface defects.
• Dimensional Verification: Precision measurement to ensure tight dimensional tolerances.
• Flatness Testing: Verification of flatness to ensure minimal warpage.
• Heat Treatment Response Verification: Sample testing to confirm proper response to hardening and tempering.
• Wear Resistance Testing: Available for critical applications requiring verified wear performance.
• Inclusion Assessment: Evaluation of non-metallic inclusion content for critical applications.
• Decarburization Testing: Verification of surface carbon content to ensure minimal decarburization.

Certifications Provided

• Material Test Certificates according to EN 10204 3.1
• Chemical composition analysis
• Mechanical property test results
• Dimensional inspection report
• Heat treatment certification when applicable
• Special property verifications available upon request
• Certificate of conformity to ordered specifications
• Ultrasonic testing reports when specified
• Metallographic examination reports when specified

International Standards Compliance

Our 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar complies with the following international standards:

Machining Recommendations

To achieve optimal results when machining 1.2436 tool steel flat bars, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Annealed Condition (230-260 HB)

Grinding Recommendations (Hardened Condition)

* These values are guidelines only; adjustments may be necessary based on specific equipment and conditions

Machining Tips

• Use rigid setups with minimum overhang to minimize vibration and chatter.
• Apply abundant cooling, especially when machining in annealed condition.
• For complex geometries, machine in the annealed condition before heat treatment.
• Use sharp tools and replace at regular intervals to maintain cutting efficiency.
• After EDM processing, remove the affected layer by grinding to prevent micro-cracking.
• After heavy machining, perform stress relieving to minimize distortion during final heat treatment.
• When grinding hardened material, use gentle cutting conditions and abundant cooling to prevent rehardening and thermal damage.
• The high carbide content in 1.2436 causes increased tool wear; adjust tooling selection and cutting parameters accordingly.
• Consider using CBN (cubic boron nitride) grinding wheels for more efficient grinding of hardened material.
• Allow extra machining allowance (approximately 0.5-0.7mm per side) to compensate for potential distortion during heat treatment.
• Implement incremental machining with stress relief between operations for complex shapes.
• Consider using PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tooling for finishing operations in the hardened state.

Welding Recommendations

Welding of 1.2436 is extremely difficult due to its high carbon and alloy content and should generally be avoided. If absolutely necessary:

• Preheat: 350-400°C (660-750°F)
• Filler Material: Special high-carbon, high-chromium welding electrodes
• Process: TIG/GTAW only, with highly skilled operators
• Interpass Temperature: Maintain 350-400°C (660-750°F)
• Post-weld Heat Treatment: Essential - full annealing followed by complete rehardening and tempering cycle
• Limitations: Only consider for minor repairs; structural welds not recommended
• Alternative: Consider brazing with high-temperature alloys for joining operations rather than fusion welding
• Caution: Extreme risk of cracking due to high carbon and alloy content

Comparative Advantages over Other Tool Steel Grades

Understanding how 1.2436 tool steel flat bar compares to other grades helps in selecting the optimal material for your application:

Application-Specific Recommendations

FUSHUN METAL provides tailored recommendations for specific applications of 1.2436 tool steel flat bar:

Cutting and Blanking Applications

• Recommended hardness: 62-64 HRC for optimal cutting performance
• For shear blades and cutting tools, ensure proper edge geometry with adequate support
• Implement double or triple tempering cycles to ensure complete transformation of retained austenite
• For precision cutting edges, finish by grinding after heat treatment with fine wheels
• Maintain proper clearance angles (typically 1-3°) to reduce edge loading and optimize cutting performance
• For cutting hard or abrasive materials, consider cryogenic treatment for enhanced wear resistance
• When regrinding cutting edges, take light cuts with abundant coolant to prevent thermal damage
• For heavy-duty cutting applications, ensure rigid mounting and support to prevent chipping
• Consider PVD coating with TiAlN or AlCrN for enhanced performance in extreme cutting applications

Cold Forming Applications

• Recommended hardness: 60-62 HRC for balanced wear resistance and adequate toughness
• For deep drawing operations, ensure highly polished surfaces (Ra ≤ 0.2μm) to reduce friction and galling
• Implement optimized heat treatment cycles with slow heating and controlled cooling to minimize distortion
• For forming of high-strength materials, ensure proper support and rigidity of the tooling
• Implement adequate lubrication strategies to reduce wear and friction
• For progressive dies, ensure precise alignment to prevent uneven loading
• Consider PVD coating (TiN, TiCN, or CrN) for enhanced surface properties and reduced friction
• For complex forming operations, consider nitriding after tempering for improved surface hardness
• Design with generous radii where possible to reduce stress concentration points

Precision Component Applications

• Recommended hardness: 60-62 HRC for dimensional stability with excellent wear resistance
• For gauges and measuring tools, perform stress relieving before final machining
• Consider cryogenic treatment after hardening to enhance dimensional stability
• Triple tempering recommended for maximum dimensional stability in precision applications
• For critical dimensions, allow for growth during heat treatment (typically 0.15-0.30%)
• Implement proper grinding techniques with minimal heat generation to preserve accuracy
• For long-term dimensional stability, consider a stabilizing treatment (low-temperature cycling)
• Store precision tools in controlled environment to prevent dimensional changes due to temperature fluctuations
• For wear surfaces, consider super-finishing techniques to achieve optimal surface finish

Customization Capabilities

FUSHUN METAL offers extensive customization options to meet your specific application requirements:

• Custom Dimensions: Special sizes manufactured to exact specifications for your application.
• Modified Chemical Composition: Slight adjustments to standard composition available to optimize specific properties.
• Special Melting Routes: Premium vacuum degassed or electroslag remelted material available for critical applications requiring enhanced cleanliness.
• Pre-Machining Services: Basic machining including cutting to length, face milling, drilling, and tapping available.
• Heat Treatment Services: Custom heat treatment to achieve specific hardness levels.
• Surface Treatments: Nitriding, PVD coating, and other treatments available upon request.
• Specialized Testing: Application-specific testing protocols available upon request.
• Custom Packaging: Specialized packaging for long-term storage or export shipments.
• Edge Preparation: Chamfering and deburring of edges for safe handling.
• Technical Consultation: Expert metallurgical support for your specific application challenges.
• Material Certification: Enhanced certification packages for critical applications.
• Preformed Blanks: Basic pre-forms available to reduce machining time.
• Microstructural Customization: Specialized heat treatments to optimize carbide structure for specific applications.

Why Choose FUSHUN METAL for 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar

When you select FUSHUN METAL as your supplier for 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar, you partner with a leading manufacturer committed to excellence:

• Cold Work Tool Steel Expertise: Specialized experience in manufacturing premium high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel products with optimal properties.
• Advanced Production Facilities: State-of-the-art melting, forging, and processing equipment specifically optimized for high-alloy tool steels.
• Stringent Quality Control: Comprehensive testing and inspection protocols ensure consistent performance in demanding applications.
• Metallurgical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of heat treatment and microstructural control of complex tool steels.
• Supply Chain Reliability: Robust inventory management and production planning to ensure consistent availability of critical materials.
• Technical Support: Expert assistance in material selection, heat treatment guidance, and application support.
• Global Capabilities: Worldwide shipping network with experience in international documentation and compliance.
• Material Traceability: Complete documentation and batch traceability for quality assurance.
• Continuous Improvement: Ongoing research and development in tool steel processing and performance.
• Industry Compliance: Materials and processes that meet or exceed international standards for critical applications.
• Competitive Pricing: Excellent value combined with superior quality and service.
• Environmental Responsibility: Commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices and environmental management.

Request Information

Contact FUSHUN METAL today to discuss your 1.2436 Tool Steel Flat Bar requirements. Our technical team is ready to assist you with:

• Detailed product specifications
• Technical consultations for your specific application
• Heat treatment recommendations for optimal properties
• Custom dimension and processing requirements
• Pricing inquiries and delivery schedules
• Sample requests for evaluation

FUSHUN METAL – Your trusted partner for premium cold work tool steel solutions that deliver consistent quality, superior wear resistance, and exceptional cutting performance in the most demanding tooling applications.