Tool Steel M46

Aging Procedure

Not applicable to this alloy.

Annealing Procedure

Anneal at 1600 - 1650 F and slow cool in the furnace at a rate of less than 40 F per hour.

Applications

M46 is primarily used for cutting tools.

Cold Workability

Cold working of M46 in the annealed condition may be don be conventional means.

Forgeability

Forge at 2100 F down to 1750 F. Do not forge below 1700 F.

Formability

Forming by conventional means may be done with the alloy in the annealed condition.

Hardening Procedure

See "Heat Treatment" and "Tempering".

Heat Treatability

Preheat to 1450 F then heat rapidly to 2200 F. Hold parts at 2200 f for 3 to 5 minutes and then salt bath, oil or air quench.

Hot Workability

See "Forging".

Machinability

This alloy is of medium machinability, rating about 60% that of the W group water hardening low alloy steels which are rated as 100% for machinability.

Principle Design Features

This alloy is a High Speed tool steel with additions for strength of tungsten, molybdenum, chromium , vanadium and cobalt. Its carbon content of 1.25% and vanadium content increase the alloy wear resistance while the cobalt content enhances performance at red heats.

Tempering Procedure

Temper at 975 to 1050 F for Rockwell c hardness of 69 to 67. Triple tempering of one hour at temperature each time is recommended.

Weldability

M46 is a complex alloy but is weldable. Consult the alloy supplier for information on weld procedures.