General Tool Steel Weld Data For "A" Steels
AIR HARDENING MEDIUM ALLOY
COLD WORKED TOOL STEELS:

• (A) Steels. AISI / SAE A2/A3/A4/A6/A7/A8/A9/A10.
  UNS T301XX - ASTM A681
  
• (A) Steels. Used for forming punches roll shears, knifes and die gages.
• (A) Steels. Carbon 0.045 to 2.85% / Manganese to 2.1% / Chrome to 5.7%
• (A) Steels. About 60% machinability of (W) steels. W steels = 100%
• (A) Steels. Readily Hardened with minimum distortion.
• (A) Steels. Not as prone to cracking as (D) steels.
• (A) Steels. Generally less wear resistance than (D) steels. A7 steel exception it has wear resistance equal to (D) steels.
• (A) Steels good toughness with resistance to wear and cracking.
• (A) Steels. Typical Hardness range 50 to 67 HRC (A9 35-56 HRC)
  
  
  
  

A2	UNS T30102 / France - Z 100 CDV 5 Germany - Din 1.2363 Japan - SKD 12 UK - BA2 Sweden 2260 Carbon 1.5 max/Mn 1.0 max/ Si 0.5 max/Cr 5.5 max/Ni 0.3 max/Mo 1.4 max./ V 0.5 max. Annealing Temp 1600F Hardening Temp 1775F Tempering Temp 350-1000F Weld Preheat 300 - 500F Interpass Max 300Ff Large repairs increase preheat to 750F. After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A3	UNS T30103 Annealing Temp 1600F Hardening Temp 1775F Tempering Temp 350-1000F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A4	UNS T30104 Annealing Temp 1400F Hardening Temp 1500F Tempering Temp 350-800F Weld Preheat 300 - 500F Interpass Max 300F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A6	UNS T 30106 Hardening Temp 1500F Tempering Temp 350-800F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A7	UNS T30107 Annealing Temp 1600F Hardening Temp 1775F Tempering Temp 350-1000F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A8	UNS T 30108 Annealing Temp 1600F Hardening Temp 1850F Tempering Temp 350-1000F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A9	UNS T30109 Annealing Temp 1600F Hardening Temp 1850F Tempering Temp 950-1150F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch
A10	UNS T30110 Annealing Temp 1400F Hardening Temp 1500F Tempering Temp 350-800F After weld cool to 400F Temper/preheat one hr/inch

 

• Hardness:
  The resistance of the metal or the weld to penetration. Hardness is related to the strength of the metal.
  A good way to test the effectiveness of the weld procedure after the weld and heat treatment is complete, test the hardness of weld and the base metal surrounding the weld.

(A) Steels Draw or post heat

(A) Steels Draw Post Heat 30 minutes at 300 F	Hardness RC 61 - 63
(A) Steels Draw Post Heat 30 minutes at 400 F	Hardness RC 59 - 61
(A) Steels Draw Post Heat 30 minutes at 500 F	Hardness RC 57 - 59

 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR WELDING TOOL STEELS:

• Ensure base metals are clean avoid tool marks.
• Remove all sharp edges and tight corners in weld areas
• Use Dye pen to check for surface cracks.
• Majority of tool steels will be weld repaired in the Hardened condition.
• A hardness test will determine if steel is hard or annealed.
• To weld massive tool parts with large amounts of weld "anneal first"
• Steels in the annealed condition metal can be removed with an oxy acet/fuel torch.
• Steels in the hardened condition use grinding/carbon arc rather than oxy fuel or plasma to remove metal.
• Discoloration glazing of steel while grinding indicates damage.
• Preheating before grinding or oxy cutting prevents damage
• ALL TOOL STEELS MUST BE PRE HEATED BEFORE WELDING.
• Pre heat prevents cracking, distortion stresses and shrinking.
• Annealed or hardened steels the steel must be pre heated.
• If base metal hardened yet not tampered anneal temper first.
• Preheat hardened steels don't exceed temper temperature.
• Hardened steels if temper unknown >25mm use 300 to 400F preheat.
• Annealed steels, preheat at maximum pre heat recommendation.

WELDING (A) STEELS:

• With all tool steels the first weld consideration should be does the weld require the same hardness as the base.
• Is the metal to be welded in the annealed or hardened condition.
• Use lowest possible weld current, (smallest electrode diamaeter)
• No weaves use stringer beads.
• Peen each weld after completion,
• Ensure parts are clean.
• Avoid excess joint restraints.
• If practical butter first pass with an E312 electrode
• If hard surface not reqiuired use E312 followed by a E9018 or E11018-G
  

(A) SMAW Steel Electrode Manufacturer	Electrode Designation
UTP	AH2-671
MG	710
Weldmold	937
Eutectic	6SH
Eureka	1215
ALL State	AH
Certanium	215 (TIG-15)

• TOOL STEELS AND SMAW ELECTRODE DATA.
• SMAW Electrodes most versatile weld process for tool steels.
• Electrode 3/32 2.5mm amperage 50 to 80 amps DCSP
• Electrode 1/8 3.2.5mm amperage 70 to 115 amps DCSP
• Electrode 5/32 4mm amperage 100 to 150 amps DCSP
• Most tool and die SMAW electrodes use AC-DC Positive.
• Flux cored good for welds which benefit from high weld depositions.
• GTAW, TIG good for small precise welds.
• Don't use oxy fuel to weld.
• Ask. Is the weld for joining or does the weld require a specific mechanical property ( hardness or machinability)?
• Use smallest electrodes possible.
• Peen each weld bead.
• Avoid arc strikes.
• Consider run on plates.
• Avoid craters.
• Try to use stringers rather than weaves.
• If possible for the firsts pass (butter pass) consider the E312 electrode except for water hardened steels.
• For water hardened steels use E11018 instead of E312 for butter pass.
• When using E312 use only one layer to avoid shrink cracks.
• If excessive hardness not required in weld use E312 then an E9018-6 or E11018-G

   

• TOOL STEELS, PRE HEAT BASICS
• M-T-H-D2 Pre heat 900F (482C)
• All other tool steels preheat at 350F (176C)
• Preheat "slowly" The higher the alloy content the slower the preheat.
• Preheat, the more complex the part shape the slower the preheat.
• Preheat. High alloy steels avoid oxy fuel use ovens or electric.
• Preheat. Use insulation around part to retain heat.
• Preheat. Maintain preheat during welds, don't exceed preheat temp.

 

 

• TOOL STEELS AND PRACTICES TO AVOID CRACKING.
• Annealed steels preheat, for the weld stress relieve, machine harden temper.
• Hardened steels, pre heat, weld temper then grind finish.

 

 

• FOR LARGE COMPONENTS THAT REQUIRE BOTH STRENGTH AND HARDNESS

• First use E312 followed by E11018-G followed by the tool steel.
• Try to provide a minimum of 3 layers of tool steel weld to a minimum depth of 3mm.
• If the repairs are on annealed steels remember the electrode selected must respond to heat treatment after weld.
• The weld hardness will depend on the preheat/interpass temperatures plus weld procedures.
• The weld hardness will depend on the chemistry of the selected electrode along with the base metal dilution.
• The weld hardness will depend on the post heat treatment and cooling rate time.
• To join components, and prevent cracks preheat and deposit ductile electrodes.
• To prevent cracks, limit carbon pickup in first pass, (use low current narrow stringer beads) also if possible stress relieve.
• To minimize the potential for underbead cracks, preheat and limit heat input during the weld.
• To prevent underbead cracks provide uniform cooling, with immediate stress relief.
• Fast heating or concentrated heating can cause cracks.
  

 

• DECARBURIZATION = LOSS OF CARBON CAUSES SURFACE SOFTENING.
• Coating surface with Borax prevents decarburization.
• ANNEAL HEAT ABOVE CRITICAL TEMP THEN COOL 50F (10C) PER HR TO TEMPER.
  
  
• STRESS RELIEVE BELOW CRITICAL TEMP. TYPICAL 1100-1300F (700C) WITH SLOW COOL.
• Don't stress relieve a weld on hardened steel
• 
  
• TEMPERING FOLLOW AFTER QUENCHING TO REDUCE HARDENING STRESSES.
• High temper provides more toughness with less hardness.
• Tempering at low end provides max hardness (max wear) with less toughness.
• Tempering above Temper range reduces toughness.
• With hardened steel let steel cool to 150F (65c) then temper.
• For large repairs on hardened steels use the electrode temper requirements.
• Welding on hardened steels not tempered cracking will occur.

   

STRESS RELIEVING (SR) BASIC GUIDELINES:

• STRESS RELIEF - CONTROLLED HEATING & COOLING TO REDUCE STRESS.
• STRESS RELIEF MACHINED PARTS FOR DIMENSIONAL STABILITY.
• STRESS RELIEF SLOW HEATING AND COOLING REQUIRED
• CONFIRM WITH CODE SPECIFICAIONS FOR STRESS RELIEF REQUIREMENTS.

If steels are quenched and tempered to match properties electrode selection and
heat treatment recommendations critical.

HARDNESS CONVERSION FOR CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS.
1000 psi = ksi x 6.894 = MPa

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