CPM Tool Steel Grades

Just as CPM processing can allow higher alloy content for red hardness and wear resistance in high speed steels, it can also be used to produce high alloy cold work tool steels for increased wear resistance. The wear resistance of a tool steel is determined by the heat treated hardness and the amount and type of hard alloy carbides present in the microstructure. The cold work tool steels known for superior wear resistance typically contain significant amounts of vanadium with sufficient carbon to form high volumes of vanadium carbides.

CPM 1-V has shock resistance close to S-7 and wear resistance close to A-2. CPM 3V provides impact toughness approaching that of S7 and wear resistance higher than D2. CPM D2 is the powder version of D2 so it is easier to machine and tougher than wrought D2. CPM 9V is a modification of CPM 10V with lower carbon and vanadium to improve toughness and heat check resistance. These enhanced properties permit CPM 9V to perform well in problem applications where high carbon, high chromium tool steels, such as CPM10V or the high speed steels, lack sufficient toughness or where lower alloy tool steels and hot work tool steels lack sufficient wear resistance. It’s important to note that CPM 9V can only harden to 55Rc. Compressive strength can be a problem due to this low hardness. CPM 10V has four times the wear resistance of D2 at the same toughness. CPM 15V was developed to withstand extreme wear conditions where carbide fractures and CPM 10-V is not wear resistant enough.

Crucible continues to develop specific high vanadium CPM grades to meet a variety of wear/toughness requirements. CPM S125-V is a bridge alloy that we can produce in sheet and plate. CPM MagnaCut is a stainless steel with toughness similar to CPM 4V.

Please see our data sheets for more detailed information.

CPM, 1V, 3V, 9V, 10V, 15V, S90V, S110V, and S125V are registered trademarks of Crucible Industries LLC