TD
treatment results in a slightly under-hardened substrate in most
air-hardening tool steels, e.g.: AISI-D2 at Rockwell "C" 56-58.
The result is increased substrate toughness, which in some cases
is highly desirable. However, in applications where substrate
hardness is critical, post-hardening is recommended to increase
the substrate hardness of TD-treated tool steels. This provides
a stronger support for the Vanadium Carbide layer (TD treatment)
which improves performance and extends tool life.
Post-hardening
is especially recommended when high forming pressures are encountered.
Examples include forming or drawing of heavy gauge high strength/low
alloy steel, and all types of heavy gauge stainless steel; roll
forming of high strength/low alloy steel, most grades of stainless
steels, and heavy gauge carbon steel.
The hardness
of AISI-D2, DC53 (modified D2) or Vanadis (powder particle steel)
can be increased to Rockwell "C" 59/61 by post-hardening. High
speed steels such as AISI-M2, M4 or other powder particle steels
such as CPM-10V, CPM-15V, CPM-M4, and Vanadis-10 can all be raised
in hardness to above Rockwell "C" 60 by the post-hardening service.
When post-hardening
is recommended by the TD Center, it is quoted as a separate
operation.
It requires
one to two additional working days over normal TD processing
time. If you have any questions concerning the above material,
or would like to discuss pre-TD machining recommendations, call
us Toll Free at 877-832-3687.
