Maraging Steel

[jason8598]

Does anyone know where I can obtain maraging steel (MAS1) at within the US?

 

[unclesyd]

MAS1 is a maraging grade steel made by DAIDO. This is the same steel company that makes the NAK 55 and NAK 80 grades that are well known in the U.S.

http://www.daido.co.jp/english/profile/network/national/america.html

MAS1C chemical composition is C 0.03 max; Si 0.010 max; Mn 0.010 max; Ni 18.5; Mo 5.0; Co 9.0; Ti 0.6. Solution Treated Used at 50-54 Rc
For ultra high mirror finishes, the best in their line.

There maybe a problem due to some import restrictions unless they have been resolved. They concern certain Tool Steel and especially some sizes/cross sections. It wasn’t resolved in late 1991.
I think both Crucible and Carpenter make a mold steel take will take a high polish.

 

[jason8598]

DAIDO is the company we currently purchase from, at a very high cost. Was wondering if anyone in the US made it or if there was a very close equivalent available.

 

[metman]

Try a web search using the word VASCOMAX.

Jesus is THE life,
Leonard

 

[TVP]

There are a number of domestic producers of maraging steels. Allvac produces the VascoMax series that metman mentioned. Carpenter produces NiMark. Timken Latrobe produces Marvac. I am not sure that Crucible produces maraging steels, but obviously they produce a wide range of tool steels. Use the following links for more information:

http://www.allvac.com/allvac/pages/Steel/Default.htm

VascoMax C grades contain Cobalt, T grades do not.

http://www.cartech.com

click on Technical Information then Alloy Category then Alloy Steels

http://www.timken.com/products/specialtysteel/engineering/tech_info/highstrengthalloy.asp

 

[jason8598]

Thanks alot guys, have been a huge help.

 

[unclesyd]

Just for curosity which properties of "MAS1C" are you interested in?

 

[jason8598]

Machinability and its minimal change when being heat treated. Thing of it is, is that we have been using it before we started using high speed machining therefore it was important to have minimal change. Now that we can high speed machine we almost don't need it but getting the Japanese higher ups to understand that is near impossible. Plus they make a fortune off of us as the Japan office buys from DAIDO then resells it to us. It sucks yes I know. Oh well.

 

[unclesyd]

As you state you will never convince your management, but there are some very good domestic mold steels that I believe would work in you case.

The few references that I have recommend this steel where one needs high polishability in the mold.

If my data is correct this is one of the tool steels that fell under the import restrictions. A petition was filed by one of the US suppliers of DAIDO material in the US for lifting the restrictions.

Just keep in mind that prices for tool steels have and will increase again, not due to any restriction, but shortages of raw materials.

Here is the website for Crucible steel home of many mold steels.

http://www.crucibleservice.com/plastics.cfm