4Cr3Mo3SiV Hot Work Tool Steel Properteis

Here at Aobo Steel, we work with tool steels on a daily basis. We know what performs under pressure, especially at high temperatures. 4Cr3Mo3SiV Tool Steel is a medium-alloy hot work tool steel designed for demanding applications. Let’s break down what this steel has to offer.

1.  4Cr3Mo3SiV Tool Steel Chemical Composition

The typical chemical balance for 4Cr3Mo3SiV usually falls within these ranges (mass fraction%):

• Carbon (C): 0.32 – 0.45
• Silicon (Si): 0.60 – 1.20 (often 0.80 – 1.20)
• Manganese (Mn): 0.40 max (sometimes 0.40 – 0.60)
• Chromium (Cr): 2.50 – 3.20 (or 3.60 – 4.40)
• Molybdenum (Mo): 1.00 – 2.00 (or 0.80 – 1.20)
• Vanadium (V): 0.50 – 1.20 (or 0.80 – 1.20)
• Tungsten (W): 0.50 – 1.20 (or 0.80 – 1.20)
• Phosphorus (P): 0.030 max
• Sulfur (S): 0.030 max

(Specific ranges depend on the standard. Aobo Steel supplies material to meet your exact chemical requirements.)

2. Decoding the Name: What’s Inside 4Cr3Mo3SiV

The grade designation gives you a direct look at the key ingredients:

• 4Cr: Contains about 4% Chromium. This helps the steel harden properly, resist wear, and fight thermal fatigue cracks.
• 3Mo: Includes roughly 3% Molybdenum. Molybdenum is vital for enhancing strength, creep resistance, and maintaining hardness stability at high working temperatures.
• SiV: Stands for Silicon and Vanadium. Silicon enhances oxidation resistance, while Vanadium promotes the formation of fine carbides, resulting in improved wear resistance and secondary hardening during tempering.

3. Key Performance Strengths

This grade brings together several critical properties for hot work tooling:

• High-Temperature Strength and Hardness: It retains its shape and resists wear even in high temperatures.
• Excellent Wear Resistance: Resists abrasion and friction well during use.
• Reliable Temperature Resistance: Maintains its hardness and strength over extended periods at high temperatures.
• Outstanding Toughness: This is a major plus. Its high impact and fracture toughness significantly lower the risk of breaking under impact or cyclic stress. It’s tougher than 3Cr2W8V.
• Thermal Stability and Fatigue Resistance: Handles repeated heating and cooling cycles effectively, resulting in longer tool life and reduced cracking. Its thermal stability and temper resistance are superior to 4Cr5MoSiV1 (H13).
• Deep Hardenability: You can achieve consistent hardness through thicker sections of the steel.

4.  4Cr3Mo3SiV Tool Steel Heat Treatment Guide

Getting the heat treatment right is key to unlocking the full potential of 4Cr3Mo3SiV. With our experience at Aobo Steel, we can help guide this process. Here are the typical steps:

4.1  4Cr3Mo3SiV Tool Steel Annealing (For Softening Before Machining)

1. Heat to 860-890°C and hold for 4-6 hours.
2. Slowly cool in the furnace to 720-740°C and hold for 4-6 hours.
3. Continue cooling the furnace to below 500°C, then allow it to cool in air.

4.2 Hardening

1. Heat to 1060-1080°C (austenitizing).
2. Quench rapidly in oil.

4.3 Tempering

1. Temper the hardened steel, typically between 610 °C and 640 °C.
2. Expect hardness around 48-51 HRC. (Remember: Adjust times and temperatures based on the specific part’s size and your exact performance needs.)

5. Where 4Cr3Mo3SiV Excels

This steel’s mix of heat resistance, toughness, and wear resistance makes it a solid choice for:

• Hot extrusion dies (especially for aluminum/alloys)
• Die casting molds (especially for aluminum/alloys)
• Hot forging dies
• Hot punching tools

Its high toughness also makes it a good candidate to replace 3Cr2W8V in some tools.

6. 4Cr3Mo3SiV vs. H13 (4Cr5MoSiV1)

Many people are familiar with H13 (4Cr5MoSiV1). Both are great hot work steels. However, 4Cr3Mo3SiV offers notably higher toughness and hardenability. If avoiding brittle failure or hardening large tools is your top priority, 4Cr3Mo3SiV might be the better fit. The best choice always depends on your specific operating conditions.

Partner with Aobo Steel for 4Cr3Mo3SiV

In short, 4Cr3Mo3SiV is a tough, reliable hot work tool steel that strikes a balance between high-temperature strength, wear resistance, and excellent toughness.

At Aobo Steel (www.aobosteel.com), we don’t just sell steel; we understand it. With over 20 years of experience in tool steel forging and strong supplier connections, we provide high-quality 4Cr3Mo3SiV and the expertise to utilize it effectively. Let us know your challenges – we’re here to help you find the right material solution.