Powder Metal | SB Specialty Metals LLC

Powder Metallurgy Steels are HIP (hot isostatic pressed) consolidated from very small powder particles. They have much improved properties over conventionally produced steels.

Both processes lend themselves not only to the production of high quality tool steels, but allow production of grades which have properties and alloy contents which cannot be produced using conventional steel making.

Powder Metallurgy Steels produced via Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP).

The process of producing PM Steels by Hot Isostatic Pressing consists of atomizing and consolidating loose tool steel powder under high temperature and high pressure forming a PM ingot. The end result is a tool steel with a homogeneous distribution of fine carbides.

Powder Metallurgy Steels produced via Sprayform technology.

The process of producing PM Steels by Sprayforming consists of atomizing tool steel powder and directing semi-solid atomized powder onto a rotating platen. An ingot is formed by the directional buildup of the semi-solid powder. The end result is a tool steel with a homogeneous distribution of carbides slightly larger than consolidated (HIP) PM.

PM Advantages for the end user:

Higher alloyed materials available

Improved toughness and high chipping resistance

Improved wear resistance

Good grindability for re-working

Consistent Tool Performance

Excellent and stable substrates for coatings

PM Advantages for the toolmaker:

Consistent and uniform machining characteristics

Consistent heat treat response

Predictable size change during heat treatment

Consistent and efficient wire EDM cutting

Ability to enhance machinability with sulfur additions

Powder Metallurgy Grades

PD#1 view technical info

PD#1 is an air hardening cold work tool steel having excellent wear resistance and toughness.

Rounds: .375" dia through 10" dia
Flats: 0.187" thick through 4.00 "thick"

PM 9 view technical info

This grade has excellent wear resistance with excellent toughness(cracking resistance) making it well suited for many cold work tooling applications.

Rounds: 1.00" dia through 8" dia
Flats: .500" thick through 3.000 "thick"

PM A11 view technical info

This grade has excellent wear resistance with very good toughness and strength making it well suited for many cold work tooling applications.

Rounds: .375" dia through 12" diam
Flats: .145" thick through 4.000 "thick"

PM420-CW view technical info

PM420-CW is a powder metallurgy, high vanadium corrosion resistant tool steel.

Rounds: .625" dia through 5.5625" dia
Flats: 500" thick through 3.000" thick saw cut widths up to 24"

PM M4 view technical info

PM M4 is a special purpose high speed steel produced exhibiting better wear resistance than M2 or M3.

Rounds: .375" dia through 12" dia
Flats: 0.100" thick through 6.00" thick saw cut widths up to 24"

PM M48 view technical info

PMM48 is a super high speed steel with abrasion resistance equal to T15 and superior red hardness to T15 and M42.

Rounds: .500" dia through 7" dia
Flats: .500" thick through 2.500" thick saw cut widths up to 24"

PM T15 view technical info

PMT15 is a high-carbon tungsten-cobalt-vanadium high speed steel made using the PM(powder metallurgy)process.

Rounds: .325" dia through 7" dia
Flats: .250" thick through 2.500" thick saw cut widths up to 24"

PM HS 30 view technical info

PM HS 30 is a molybdenum/tungsten Cobalt high speed steel produced using the PM (powdered metal) steel making process. The grade has an excellent balance of toughness and wear hot hardness making it ideal for cutting tools and for cold work tooling.PM steels have excellent grindability vs conventional steels.

Rounds: 1.00" dia through 9" diam

PSB 27 view technical info

PSB 27 is a PM Sprayform upgrade to D2. It combines excellent wear resistance with high resistance to chipping.

Rounds: 4.00" dia through 12" dia
Flats: .125" thick through .265" thick