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Stainless Steel

Materials Overview

Balanced Properties

Stainless steels (SS) are iron-base alloys containing 10.5% or more chromium (Cr). The addition of Cr gives resistance to heat and corrosion. The properties of SS are further modified by the addition of other alloying elements such as carbon, nitrogen, aluminium, nickel and many others. The many permutations of alloying elements result in many SS grades, each with different hardness and resistance to temperature, each suited to different applications.

The properties of SS grades are also determined by their crystalline structure. There are four main types: Austenitic, Martensitic, Ferritic, and Precipitation hardening. Martensitic grades can be hardened with heat treatments, ferritic and austenitic cannot. Precipitation hardening grades can reach high hardness levels (HRC 44). Compared to other material groups, Stainless Steels represent some of the highest possible operating temperatures and highest hardness levels. All SS grades are conductors of electricity.

The most popular Stainless steels grades used in our Die Attach tools are of the SUS303 and SUS316L variety. As compared to other specialty alloys SS materials offer reasonable performance at a competitive price point.

Material Description Hardness ESD Surface Resistance (Ω) Service Temperatures (Deg C)
Stainless Steel (SS) 15-5 PH HRB 99 - 104 Conductive (< E2) >500
17-4 PH HRC 29 - 44 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 430F HRB 85 - 92 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 420 HRB 92- 95 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 440C HRB 97 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 316 HRB 79 - 95 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 301 HRB 85 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 304 HRB 80 - 92 Conductive (< E2) >500
SUS 303 HRB 83 Conductive (< E2) >500
HSS, HM33 HRC 65 - 68 Conductive (< E2) >500
HSS HRC 65 Conductive (< E2) >500

The SUS grades are differentiated with a 3-digit number. The 300 series are austenitic chromium-nickel alloys, whereas 400 series are martensitic. The final 2 digits of the code indicate alloying elements and therefore indicate properties. For example, 316 has added molybdenum to increase corrosion resistance. 301 has lower Cr and Nickel to increase potential for work hardening, allowing it to be hardened to 41 HRC.

HSS grades are high speed steels, so called as they retain high levels of hardness at high temperatures with an improve wear rate. HSS grades are most commonly used on our Epoxy Stamping tools and Die Ejector Needles.

15-5PH and 17-4PH are precipitation hardened steels and are subjected to an annealing treatment in order to develop high strength. 15-5PH and 17-4PH SS are recommended for Pick Up Tools with small profiles, thin wall thickness and high bond force.

Tungsten
Carbide

WC

LINE
High Wear
& High Temp
Resistance
  • Carbide, K15
  • Carbide, K30
  • Carbide, M30
  • Carbide K40
  • Carbide, MG30
Superalloy

SA

LINE
All-Round
Superior
Performance
  • Haynes 25 (L605)
  • Inconel Alloy 625
  • Inconel Alloy 718
  • Incoloy Alloy 925
  • Nitronic 50
  • Nitronic 60
  • Titanium Grade 2
  • Stellite 6
  • Stellite 31
Stainless
Steel

SS

LINE
Balanced
Properties
  • 15-5 PH
  • 17-4PH
  • SUS 430F
  • SUS 420
  • SUS 440C
  • SUS 316
  • SUS 301
  • SUS 304
  • SUS 303
Tool Steel

TS

LINE
High
Strength
  • CPM-10V
  • SKD 11
  • SKH 51
  • Mirrax 40
  • ASP 23
  • Stavax
  • XW 10
  • XW 42
  • Assab 718 - HH
  • Assab 718 - HH
  • HSS
  • DF2
  • DF3
  • Ramax HH
  • Rochling 2315
Non Ferrous
Metals

NF

LINE
Special
Applications
  • Aluminium 7075
  • Aluminium 6061
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Hovadur K350
Performance
Engineering
Plastics

SP

LINE
Advantageous
Performance
& Value
  • Torlon 4432 (PAI)
  • Torlon 4301 (PAI)
  • Torlon 5030 (PAI)
  • Torion 7130 (PAI)
  • Vespel SCP5050 (P)
  • Vespel SP 21 (PD)
  • Vespel SP1 (PI)
  • ESD Semitron 520
  • ESD Semitron 420
  • ESD Semitron 410C
  • ESD Semitron 225
Engineering
Plastics

EP

LINE
Economical
And Versatile
  • Acrylic/ Polycarbonate
  • TECAFORM SD
  • Delrin ESD
  • Delrin White
  • Delrin Black
  • POM
  • PEEK
  • PEEK HT
  • PEEK GF 30%
  • PEEK CF 30%
Rubber

R

LINE
Geometric
Flexibility
ESD Protection
  • NBR
  • NBR (Soft)
  • NBR (Hard)
  • NBR (Coated)
  • HPR
  • HPR (Soft)
  • HPR (Hard)
  • UPR
  • CR (ESD)
  • CR