Tempering: | P20 tool steels are tempered at 482-593°C (900 to 1100°F) for a Rockwell C hardness of 28 to 34. |
Annealing: | Annealing takes place at 760-788°C (1400 to 1450°F) and then the steels are cooled slowly in the furnace at a temperature less than 4°C (40°F) per hour. |
Cold Working: | P20 tool steels are capable of being readily cold worked by using conventional tooling methods with the alloy in the annealed condition. |
Welding: | Conventional methods are used for welding of P20 tool steels. |
Forging: | P20 tool steels are forged at 1093°C (2000°F) down to 899°C (1650°F). Forging below 871°C (1600°F) is not recommended for these steels. |
Forming: | P20 tool steels can be readily formed by conventional methods in the annealed condition. |
Machinability: | P20 tool steels have excellent machinability at about 80% that of water hardening steels. |
Heat Treatment: | P20 tool steels are heated to 871-899°C (1600-1650°F) in the carburizing medium during the carburizing process. After being carburized, these steels are heated to 816-871°C (1500-1600°F) in order to be hardened and then held for 15 minutes and finally oil quenched. |
Applications: | P20 tool steels are used for low-temperature applications that include injection molds and die casting dies. |