1.2746 | 45NiCrMoV16-6

1.2746 | 45NiCrMoV16-6

1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6) steel is an alloyed cold work tool steel. It is a widely used material in various industrial applications. This steel type has high hardness and can withstand challenging conditions such as wear impact and high temperatures. Due to its excellent mechanical and thermal stability at elevated temperatures (500-600 °C). 1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6) steel is particularly preferred for components operating at high temperatures.

Chemical composition

Hardening

Harden from a temperature of 880-910°C followed by air or oil quenching or warm bath quenching 180-220°C. Hardness after quenching is 56 HRC.

Annealing for 1.2746

Heat to 610 - 850°C and cool slowly in the furnace (typically at a rate of 10-20°C per hour to room temperature). This controlled annealing process relieves internal stresses from prior manufacturing steps, refines the grain structure, and ensures dimensional stability. The resulting microstructure will be a soft, ductile ferrite-pearlite matrix, which optimizes machinability for subsequent operations like milling or turning. This treatment will result in a maximum Brinell hardness of 295, making the material easier to handle while preserving its core alloying benefits.

Stress Relieving

Stress relieving to remove machining stresses should be carried out by heating to approx 650°C, holding for 1-2 hours at heat, followed by air cooling. This operation is performed to reduce distortion during heat treatment.

Forging

Hot forming temperature ranges from 1100 to 900°C, with the optimal forging window typically starting at 1100°C for initial shaping and gradually reducing to 900°C as the material is worked. During this process, it is recommended to maintain uniform heating across the workpiece to ensure consistent mechanical properties and minimize the risk of cracking. Forging should be performed using controlled deformation rates to avoid excessive strain, and the material should be cooled slowly after forging to prevent residual stresses.

Applications

· Precision tools

· Cutting tools

· Dies and molds

· High-load machinery components