Home » Products  » Special Steel Sheets & Coils

Special Steel Sheets & Coils

Simplified Comparison Diagrams for Special Steels    Material Properties Guide   

 

Simplified Comparison Diagrams for Special Steels

The comparison diagrams below show carbon steels such as JIS S45C and carbon tool steels such as JIS SK-5 (SK85).

Click the name of a particular grade to see a detailed specifications page.

To see general properties, refer to the Material Properties Guide below.

 

Carbon Steels (S**C)

Click a steel grade to learn more

HTML Map

 

 

Carbon Tool Steels (SK**)

HTML Map

▲ Back to top of page

 

 

 

 

Material Properties Guide

1. Features

1.1. Steel grade chart

1.2 Finish definitions and finish chart

 

2. Workability

2.1 Bending

2.2 Drawing

 

3. Heat treatment

3.1 Heat treatment environment

3.2 Temperature of furnace and material

3.3 Pre-treatment and atmosphere

3.4 Quenching

3.5 Tempering

 


▲ Back to top of page

 

 

 

1.1. Steel grade chart

Type

Grade

Property data

Carbon steel

(JIS G 3311)

(JIS G 4051)

(JIS G 4802)

S15C

S45C

S50C

S55C

S60C

Carbon steels have lower carbon content than carbon tool steels, and have less-strict regulations on impurities. They are used in applications that require a certain amount of strength and toughness.

Carbon steels with low carbon content offer better raw-material workability, but are susceptible to uneven quenching, so care must be taken with regard to temperature management, cooling methods, and the like.

Carbon steel applications include office appliances, electrical and mechanical components, springs, washers, clutch parts, Thomson blades, and bearing parts.

> See detailed specifications page for information on chemical composition and mechanical properties

Razor steel

 

TE-2

(SKS81M)

By adjusting the chemical composition and quality control in the manufacturing process, the hardenability of razor steel can be increased. Refining the carbide enables us to improve sharpness and wear resistance. Razor steel is used for razor blades, long edged tools, high-grade knives, etc.

> See detailed specifications page for information on chemical composition and mechanical properties

Carbon tool steel

(JIS G 3311)

(JIS G 4401)

SK2 (SK120)

SK4 (SK95)

SK5 (SK85)

SK6 (SK75)

SK7 (SK65)

Due to their workability, hardenability, product performance, affordability, and other characteristics, carbon tool steels are the most widely used cold-rolled special steel strips.

Carbon tool steel is used in a wide range of fields from hard applications including blades, cutting tools, and regular tools to applications that require elasticity and toughness including regular springs, spiral springs, knitting needles, horns, measuring tapes, and washers.

> See detailed specifications page for information on chemical composition and mechanical properties

Alloy tool steel

(JIS G 4404)

SKS2

SKS51

SKS7

SKS2 and SKS7 are produced by adding tungsten and chromium to high carbon steel and scattering tiny, hard complex-carbides. Due to their excellent wear resistance and high-temperature strength, they are used for cutters, hacksaws, metal band saws, and similar products.

SKS51 contains nickel and chromium for increased toughness, and is used for hand saws, utility knives, and other products.

High cleanliness steel

M2

(Corresponds to SK4)

M2 is high in carbon (C), manganese (Mn), and chromium (Cr) for increased wear resistance, and low in phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) for a high degree of cleanliness and durability.

M2 has good properties for heat treatment, a high degree of cleanliness, and a well conditioned surface. It is mainly used for knitting needle parts, where a high degree of reliability is required.

Chromium

molybdenum steel

(JIS G 4105)

SCM415

Chromium–molybdenum steels are typically used for structural applications. They can be quenched and tempered to provide mid-level strength and toughness.

They have low hardness and good workability. Moreover, their alloy content gives them good hardenability and allows them to be quenched even if cooled at a slower rate. They are also not very susceptible to deformation. SCM415 is case hardened steel, so it is usually used after the surface has been hardened via carburization.

Chromium–molybdenum steel applications include office appliances, electrical and mechanical components, Thomson blades, and chain components.

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

 

1.2 Finish definitions and finish chart

Tokkin uses the following finishing definitions:

Finishing condition

Finishing rolling reduction

Annealed

—— (As annealed)

Skin passed (lightly rolled)

Up to 5%

Rolled

15%–40%

Full hardened

35% or higher

The table below is a finish chart for various steel grades.

Grade

Finishing condition

Hardness test

Tensile test

HV

Tensile strength N/mm2

Elongation %

TE-2

SK-2

Annealed

170–210 520–685 20–32
Skin passed 190–230 570–715 10–28
Rolled 250–290 735–980 2–15
Full hardened 280–320

835–1080

1–3

See also detailed specifications pages for high carbon steels and stainless steels for blades.

> High carbon steels and stainless steels for blades (TE-2, SK-5, RB-S, & SUS420J2)

SK4

M2

Annealed

160–200

490–645 24–35
Skin passed 175–215 540–695 12–32
Rolled 245–285 725–970 2–15
Full hardened 270–310 825–1040 1–4

See also detailed specifications pages for carbon tool steels and high cleanliness steels.

> Carbon tool steels (SK2, SK4, SK6, & SK7)

> High cleanliness steel (M2)

SK5 Annealed 150–190 460–625 26–37
Skin passed 170–210 510–685 15–35
Rolled 240–280 725–930 3–16
Full hardened 260–300 805–1000 1–5

See also detailed specifications pages for carbon tool steels and gauge steel plates.

> Carbon tool steels (SK2, SK4, SK6, & SK7)

> Gauge steel plates (SK5)

SK6

S70C

Annealed

145–185 440–615 27–38
Skin passed 160–200 490–665 15–35
Rolled 235–275 715–920 3–16
Full hardened 255–295 795–990 1–5

See also detailed specifications page for carbon tool steels.

> Carbon tool steels (SK2, SK4, SK6, & SK7)

SK7

S60C

S55C

S50C

S45C

S15C

Annealed 140–180 410–610 28–39
Skin passed 155–195 460–655 16–36
Rolled 230–270 705–900 3–17
Full hardened 250–290 775–970 1–5
See also detailed specifications pages for carbon tool steels and carbon steels.

> Carbon tool steels (SK2, SK4, SK6, & SK7)

> Carbon steel (S15C, S45C, S50C, S55C, & S60C)

SKS2

Annealed

190–230

615–715

20–30

Full hardened

280–320

835–1080

1–3

SKS7

Annealed

200–240

645–735

20–28

Full hardened

300–340

880–1125

1–3

SCM415

Annealed

125–165

335–540

28–50

Full hardened

200–240

655–735

1–8

Grade

Finishing condition

Hardness test

Tensile test

HV

Tensile strength N/mm2

Elongation %

 

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1 Bending

1. While a rolled finish is sometimes used for bent products, we normally use an annealed or skin-passed finish for such products.  

2. Steel strips generally have directional properties. As products with a rolled finish in particular have strong directional properties, it is better to avoid bending parallel to the rolling direction. It is therefore necessary to think of a layout that will ensure that the bending direction is perpendicular or cross to the rolling direction.

3. After cutting, shearing, or processing, if a bend is made so that the burred surface is on the outer face of the bent section, cracks may propagate from the burred edge. Therefore, the burred surface should be positioned so that it is on a section that will not be bent, or the burrs should be removed before bending.

4. When bending, spring back differs according to the extent of processing and finish of the material. It is necessary to make appropriate corrections depending on the shape and processing method.

5. Bendability differs according to grade and processing conditions, but it is possible to process materials with different finishing conditions as shown below.

  (These conditions mainly apply to low carbon steel strips of grade SK5 or below)

 

Finishing condition

Thickness of under 1 mm

Thickness of 1 mm or greater

Annealed

Skin passed

Rolled

Note: t = thickness, R = internal bend radius   

Reference: Approximation of bending power

 

V-shaped die

P = 0.6bt2σB/L

U-shaped die

P = 0.6bt2σB (1 + t/L)

Note: t = thickness, b = width, L = width of die channel, σB = tensile strength of material  

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

2.2 Drawing

  1. Except for minor drawing processes, the product usually needs to have the same drawability for all directions. For this reason, products with an annealed or skin-pass finish are used.

 

  1. Even though cold rolled special steel strips are not susceptible to significant stretcher-strain marks in the way that soft steels are, they have a low drawing limit. Therefore, when deep drawing, we perform intermediate annealing, and then re-draw the product.

 

 

We use a drawing rate of 0.4 for drawing a regular flat sheet and 0.6 for re-drawing.

 

Drawing rate = d/D  

d = diameter of product to be drawn, D = diameter of circular plate before drawing

 

Reference: Formula for approximate calculation of drawing power

P = ndtσBm

Note: t = thickness, m = correction factor (normally 0.4–1.0), σB = tensile strength of material

 

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1. Precautions regarding heat treatment

Almost all cold rolled special steel strips are quenched and tempered as appropriate depending on the application.

The most important considerations when performing these heat treatment processes are:

 

(1) to heat and cool the product evenly using suitable conditions,

(2) to prevent decarburization, scaling, and high temperature corrosion as much as possible, and

(3) to choose a quenching method that will minimize quenching deformation.

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

3.2 Temperature of furnace and material

When performing heat treatment, the temperature of the heat treatment furnace is measured and used as the temperature to which the material is heated. However, sometimes there may be a large difference or variation between the material’s actual temperature and the measured furnace temperature. It is therefore necessary to thoroughly investigate temperature properties, and control the temperature and alter the heat treatment process accordingly.

 

3.3 Pre-treatment and atmosphere

When treating cold rolled special steel strips, the higher the carbon content, the easier decarburization occurs. In particular, the risk becomes greater in in high-temperature heating processes like quenching. If the material is contaminated with dirt or foreign substances then high temperature corrosion may occur. Therefore it is necessary to pre-treat material surfaces by cleaning them and adjust the atmosphere of the furnace before heat treatment. RX gas is used as a standard furnace atmosphere during quenching, NX gas during tempering, but N2, H2, AX gases, and others are also used. In some cases, neutral salt-bath furnaces, metal bath furnaces, furnace tubes, cases, and other equipment is used to ensure that the material does not come into direct contact with the air.

 

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

 

3.4 Quenching

In most cases, a value around the midpoint of the quenching temperature range in the table above is used as the quenching temperature. This temperature is maintained for anywhere from several tens of seconds to several minutes depending on the material grade, dimensions, shape, required properties, and quenching method. Quenching conditions have a significant influence on the properties of the product. If the quenching temperature is too high or is maintained for too long, grains become larger, toughness is reduced, and the risk of decarburization increases. On the other hand, if the quenching temperature is too low or is not maintained for long enough, the product does not harden and soft spots may occur. It is therefore important to select appropriate quenching conditions.

 

Normally oil or water is used to cool materials down. Water-quenched products harden better than products oil-quenched products, but are more susceptible to problems such as quenching deformation and cracking. For this reason, except in some special cases, oil quenching is used for cold-rolled special steel strips.

 

To avoid quenching deformation, the oil temperature is increased and martempering is performed. In special cases, quenching is performed in a salt bath or metal bath (austempering). For ribbon shapes or simple shapes, stool quenching, press quenching, and other methods are employed.

Grade

Quenching temperature (°C)

TE-2

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SK4

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SK5

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SK6

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SK7

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SKS51

790–850 oil quenching (760–820 water quenching)

SKS2

830–880 oil quenching  

SKS7

830–880 oil quenching

S70C

790–850 oil quenching  

S60C

800–860 water quenching  

S55C

800–860 water quenching  

S45C

800–850 water quenching  

S15C

800–860 water quenching  

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

3.5 Tempering

In spite of their hardness, quenched materials lack toughness and are brittle. To be finished into materials that possess toughness and strength, they must therefore must be tempered. Tempering conditions are determined depending on the required properties of each material by considering test results, the steel grade's quenching and tempering properties, and other factors. For cold-rolled special steel strips, long tempering time is used for certain cases (particularly when toughness is required) because the amount of material used is small and tempering work is often carried out consecutively. However, it would seem that most manufacturers often use a short tempering time of no longer than a few minutes. Moreover, due to the nature of the consecutive tempering process, if time is short then the temperature is set a little higher and products are tempered repeatedly. However, as a general rule, materials that are tempered at low temperature for a long time have more toughness than those that are tempered at high temperature. Care is therefore taken to avoid making the tempering furnace shorter, the tempering temperature higher, and the tempering time shorter than necessary. Using an oil, metal, or salt bath for tempering makes it possible to reduce time compared to open-air tempering. Quenching and tempering properties for common steel grades are shown in the graphs below.

 

▲ Back to Material Properties Guide

▲ Back to top of page

<