Description

H46 is a high-speed tool steel known for its excellent toughness, wear resistance, and heat resistance. It is commonly used in various tooling applications where cutting, shaping, or machining operations are involved.

Applications

H46 is widely used in the manufacturing of drills, taps, reamers, milling cutters, broaches, dies, and other cutting tools. It is also suitable for cold and hot work applications, such as punches, chisels, shear blades, and forming tools.

Blacksmith Applications

H46 is commonly used by blacksmiths for making specialized tools such as hammers, axes, chisels, punches, and other hand tools. Its high toughness and wear resistance make it suitable for heavy-duty forging operations.

H46 Forging Temperature

Forging should be done between 1900°F - 2200°F (1038°C - 1204°C), followed by slow cooling in a furnace or insulating material to refine the grain structure and relieve internal stresses.

H46 Heat Treatment

H46 Annealing Temperature

Annealing is typically performed at 1550°F - 1600°F (843°C - 871°C) for a sufficient amount of time, followed by slow cooling in the furnace to obtain a soft and machinable structure.

H46 Normalizing Temperature

Normalizing can be carried out at 1650°F - 1700°F (899°C - 927°C) for a proper soak time, followed by air cooling to enhance the toughness and improve machinability.

H46 Hardening Temperature

Hardening is achieved by heating the steel to 2200°F - 2250°F (1204°C - 1232°C) and then quenching in oil or air to obtain maximum hardness and durability.

H46 Tempering Temperature

Tempering should be performed between 500°F - 1000°F (260°C - 538°C) to achieve the desired balance of hardness and toughness. Higher tempering temperatures result in lower hardness but increased toughness.

Machinability

H46 has good machinability with appropriate cutting tools and techniques. It can be machined at high speeds, but carbide tools are recommended for better performance.

Weldability

H46 has poor weldability due to its high carbon content. Welding should be avoided if possible. If welding is necessary, preheating and post-weld heat treatment are required to minimize the risk of cracking.