1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar (A2 Cold Work Die Steel)

Product Description

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar is a premium air-hardening chromium-molybdenum-vanadium cold work die steel offering an exceptional combination of good wear resistance, excellent toughness, superior dimensional stability, and reliable hardening characteristics. With a carefully engineered chemical composition featuring approximately 1% carbon, 5% chromium, and balanced alloy additions of molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese, our 1.2360 flat bar delivers outstanding performance in applications requiring an optimal balance of wear resistance, toughness, and deep hardening capability. Available in precision-milled finishes and tight dimensional tolerances, this versatile flat steel bar is ideal for demanding applications in industrial cutting tools, plastic molds for abrasive compounds, blanking and forming dies, gauges, and other applications where a balanced combination of properties is essential. Unlike standard carbon tool steels, FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 flat bars provide excellent deep hardening ability with minimal distortion during heat treatment, ensuring reliable performance in complex tooling applications. Each bar undergoes comprehensive quality control to ensure consistent properties, precise dimensions, and superior surface quality for maximum performance in a wide range of industrial tooling applications.

Flat Bar Specifications

FUSHUN METAL offers 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar in a comprehensive range of specifications to meet diverse application requirements:

Available Dimensions

* Custom dimensions available upon request

Dimensional Tolerances

Surface Finishes

• Hot Rolled: Standard industrial finish
• Hot Rolled and Annealed: Stress relieved for better machinability
• Hot Rolled, Annealed, and Pickled: Clean scale-free surface
• Precision Ground: Four sides ground with precision tolerances
• Fine Milled: High-quality surface finish with tight tolerances
• Polished: Smoother finish for reduced post-processing requirements
• Custom Finishes: Available upon request for specific applications

Supply Conditions

• Annealed: Soft condition for optimal machinability (200-230 HB)
• Pre-hardened: Hardened and tempered to 35-42 HRC for applications requiring moderate hardness
• Fully Heat Treated: Hardened and tempered to 58-62 HRC for immediate use
• Custom Heat Treatment: Available to meet specific hardness and toughness requirements

Packaging Options

• Individual Plastic Wrapping: For protection against environmental contaminants
• Wooden Crates: For secure shipping of multiple bars
• Steel Strapped Bundles: For economical shipping of standard orders
• VCI Paper Wrapping: For enhanced corrosion protection
• Oil Coating: Available for additional corrosion protection
• Custom Packaging: Available to meet specific handling and storage requirements
• Anti-Rust Treatment: Specialized rust prevention for long-term storage

Applications

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar is specifically engineered for applications requiring an optimal combination of wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability:

Cutting and Blanking Applications

• Precision blanking dies
• Medium-duty shear blades
• Paper and cardboard cutting knives
• Trimming dies
• Fine blanking punches and dies
• Metal stamping tools
• Rotary shear blades
• General purpose cutting tools

Forming and Bending Applications

• Progressive forming dies
• Bending dies for medium to high strength materials
• Drawing dies requiring toughness
• Medium-duty coining tools
• Roll forming tools
• Thread rolling dies
• Swaging dies
• Lamination dies

Plastic Mold Applications

• Injection molds for abrasive plastics
• Molds for glass-filled compounds
• Compression molds requiring wear resistance
• Long-run plastic mold components
• Insert molds for technical plastics
• Mold bases for abrasive compounds
• Core and cavity inserts
• Plastic extrusion tooling

Precision Components

• Precision gauges and fixtures
• Measuring tools
• Inspection equipment components
• Calibration devices
• Alignment tools
• Machine way guides
• Wear plates for precision equipment
• Jigs and fixtures

Specialty Applications

• Woodworking tools
• Forging dies requiring good toughness
• Fine-detail embossing dies
• Master hubs and form tools
• Punches for electrical laminations
• Industrial knives for general purpose
• Broaching tools
• Powder compaction tooling

Chemical Composition

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar features the following nominal composition per DIN 17350/EN ISO 4957 standards:

Key Element Functions

• Carbon (0.95-1.05%): Provides good hardness and forms carbides with chromium and vanadium. The moderate carbon content ensures a balance between hardness and toughness.
• Chromium (4.80-5.50%): Forms hard, wear-resistant chromium carbides and contributes to deep hardening and air-hardening properties. The moderate chromium content creates a balanced microstructure with good wear resistance without excessive brittleness.
• Molybdenum (0.90-1.40%): Enhances hardenability and improves high-temperature strength. Contributes to secondary hardening during tempering and reduces temper brittleness.
• Vanadium (0.15-0.45%): Forms fine vanadium carbides for improved wear resistance and helps control grain size during heat treatment, enhancing toughness.
• Manganese (0.40-0.80%): Enhances hardenability and contributes to overall strength and toughness.
• Silicon (0.10-0.40%): Improves hardenability and contributes to overall strength.

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Our 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar offers an impressive combination of physical and mechanical properties that make it ideal for demanding applications:

Physical Properties

Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)

Mechanical Properties (Hardened and Tempered to 58-60 HRC)

Dimensional Change During Heat Treatment

Approximate dimensional changes during hardening (air hardening from 950°C):

Special Features of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar

Our 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar offers several distinctive advantages that set it apart from conventional tool steel products:

Excellent Balance of Properties

1.2360 provides an optimal combination of performance characteristics:

• Balanced Wear Resistance and Toughness: Offers good wear resistance without sacrificing the toughness needed for demanding applications, providing an excellent compromise between conflicting properties.
• Good Edge Retention: Maintains cutting edges longer than carbon tool steels while offering better toughness than high-carbon high-chromium steels.
• Versatile Performance: Suitable for a wide range of applications from cutting and forming to plastic molding, reducing the need for multiple specialty steels.
• Adaptable Hardness Levels: Can be heat treated to different hardness levels (56-62 HRC) to optimize properties for specific applications.
• Reliable Impact Resistance: Good resistance to chipping and cracking under impact loads, making it suitable for interrupted cutting and stamping operations.
• Consistent Through-section Properties: Maintains uniform properties throughout the cross-section, even in larger sizes.
• Good Machinability: Reasonable machinability in the annealed condition, simplifying tool manufacturing.

Superior Dimensional Stability

1.2360 offers excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment:

• Air-Hardening Capability: Hardens in still air with minimal distortion, making it ideal for complex shapes and precision tooling.
• Low Distortion: Minimal dimensional changes during heat treatment compared to oil-hardening steels, reducing the need for extensive post-hardening machining.
• Predictable Size Change: Consistent and predictable dimensional changes during heat treatment, allowing for precise compensation in tool design.
• Good Response to Stress Relieving: Effectively responds to stress-relieving treatments, enhancing overall dimensional stability.
• Thermal Stability: Good stability during service at moderate temperatures, maintaining dimensions during use.
• Uniform Transformation: Transforms uniformly throughout the section during heat treatment, minimizing internal stress and distortion.
• Optimal for Complex Geometries: The air-hardening characteristic makes it ideal for tooling with complex shapes, thin sections, or fine details.

Deep Hardenability

1.2360 offers excellent hardenability for consistent properties:

• Through-Hardening Capability: Achieves consistent hardness throughout even in large sections up to 150mm thickness.
• Air-Hardening Characteristics: Requires only air cooling to achieve full hardness, simplifying heat treatment and reducing distortion.
• Uniform Microstructure: Develops a uniform microstructure throughout the cross-section, ensuring consistent performance.
• Reliable Heat Treatment Response: Predictable and consistent response to heat treatment, reducing the risk of processing failures.
• Minimal Center Softness: Negligible difference between surface and core hardness in sections up to 100mm.
• Flexible Processing: Can be successfully heat treated using various equipment, from sophisticated vacuum furnaces to simple air cooling.
• Secondary Hardening: Exhibits secondary hardening response during tempering, enhancing overall hardness potential.

Manufacturing Excellence

FUSHUN METAL employs specialized processes to ensure our 1.2360 flat bars deliver reliable performance in critical applications:

• Controlled Melting Process: Precise control of composition and cleanliness to ensure consistent properties.
• Optimized Forging: Carefully controlled forging procedures to ensure uniform carbide distribution and prevent carbide networking.
• Specialized Annealing: Proper spheroidizing annealing to optimize machinability and subsequent heat treatment response.
• Precision Milling: Advanced milling capabilities to achieve tight dimensional tolerances and excellent surface finish.
• Controlled Heat Treatment: Precise heat treatment parameters to achieve optimal hardness and microstructure when supplied in hardened condition.
• Rigorous Inspection: Comprehensive testing to ensure consistent properties, dimensions, and surface quality.
• Carbide Distribution Control: Special processing to ensure optimal size and distribution of carbides for balanced properties.
• Decarburization Prevention: Special handling to minimize surface decarburization, preserving surface properties.

Heat Treatment Recommendations

For customers performing their own heat treatment of 1.2360 tool steel flat bar, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Stress Relieving

• Heat slowly to 650-700°C (1200-1290°F)
• Hold for minimum 2 hours per 25mm of thickness
• Cool slowly in furnace to below 500°C (930°F), then air cool
• Recommended before extensive machining to minimize distortion

Annealing

• Heat slowly to 850-870°C (1560-1600°F)
• Hold for 1-2 hours per 25mm of thickness
• Cool very slowly in furnace at a rate not exceeding 15°C (27°F) per hour to 650°C (1200°F)
• Continue cooling in furnace
• Resulting hardness: 200-230 HB

Hardening

• Preheating: Step 1: 500-550°C (930-1020°F)
• Preheating: Step 2: 800-850°C (1470-1560°F)
• Austenitizing: 925-980°C (1700-1795°F)
  • Lower temperatures for better toughness, higher temperatures for maximum hardness and wear resistance
• Holding time: 15-45 minutes after thorough heating (longer times for larger sections)
• Quenching options:
  • Air: Still air cooling for sections up to 50mm thickness
  • Air: Forced air for sections 50-100mm
  • Oil: Alternative for critical applications requiring minimum distortion
  • Vacuum: Excellent option for premium tooling with minimal distortion
  • Martempering: Alternative method for complex shapes
• Achievable hardness after quenching: 62-64 HRC

Tempering

• Temper immediately after cooling to room temperature
• Double tempering required (minimum two tempers)
• Triple tempering recommended for critical applications
• Tempering temperature selection based on desired final hardness:
  • 150-180°C (300-355°F): 60-62 HRC (maximum hardness with minimal toughness)
  • 180-250°C (355-480°F): 58-60 HRC (balanced hardness and moderate toughness)
  • 250-350°C (480-660°F): 56-58 HRC (increased toughness with good hardness)
  • 450-550°C (840-1020°F): 50-54 HRC (maximum toughness, but reduced hardness)
• Avoid tempering in the range of 350-450°C (660-840°F) if possible due to potential temper brittleness
• Hold at temperature for minimum 2 hours per temper
• Cool to room temperature between tempering cycles
• Cryogenic treatment (optional): -70°C to -196°C (-95°F to -320°F) between quenching and first temper to convert retained austenite and enhance dimensional stability

Surface Treatments (Optional)

• Nitriding: Can be performed after final heat treatment to further enhance surface hardness (up to 1100 HV)
• PVD Coating: TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, or other coatings can be applied after final heat treatment for enhanced surface properties
• Steam Tempering: For blackened finish with some corrosion protection

Quality Assurance and Testing

Every batch of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our exacting quality standards:

• Chemical Composition Analysis: Spectrographic testing to verify precise element content critical for performance, with special attention to carbon, chromium, and molybdenum levels.
• Mechanical Property Testing: Hardness testing to confirm proper annealing or heat treatment.
• Microstructural Examination: Metallographic analysis to verify proper structure, grain size, and carbide distribution.
• Hardenability Testing: Jominy end-quench testing to verify hardenability characteristics.
• Ultrasonic Testing: 100% ultrasonic inspection available to detect internal defects and ensure soundness.
• Magnetic Particle Inspection: Available to detect surface or near-surface defects.
• Dimensional Verification: Precision measurement to ensure tight dimensional tolerances.
• Flatness Testing: Verification of flatness to ensure minimal warpage.
• Heat Treatment Response Verification: Sample testing to confirm proper response to hardening and tempering.
• Toughness Testing: Impact testing to verify toughness properties for critical applications.
• Inclusion Assessment: Evaluation of non-metallic inclusion content for critical applications.
• Decarburization Testing: Verification of surface carbon content to ensure minimal decarburization.

Certifications Provided

• Material Test Certificates according to EN 10204 3.1
• Chemical composition analysis
• Mechanical property test results
• Dimensional inspection report
• Heat treatment certification when applicable
• Special property verifications available upon request
• Certificate of conformity to ordered specifications
• Ultrasonic testing reports when specified
• Metallographic examination reports when specified

International Standards Compliance

Our 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar complies with the following international standards:

Machining Recommendations

To achieve optimal results when machining 1.2360 tool steel flat bars, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Annealed Condition (200-230 HB)

Grinding Recommendations (Hardened Condition)

* These values are guidelines only; adjustments may be necessary based on specific equipment and conditions

Machining Tips

• Use rigid setups with minimum overhang to minimize vibration and chatter.
• Apply adequate cooling, especially when machining in annealed condition.
• For complex geometries, machine in the annealed condition before heat treatment.
• Use sharp tools and replace at regular intervals to maintain cutting efficiency.
• After EDM processing, remove the affected layer by grinding to prevent micro-cracking.
• After heavy machining, perform stress relieving to minimize distortion during final heat treatment.
• When grinding hardened material, use gentle cutting conditions and abundant cooling to prevent rehardening.
• Take advantage of the air-hardening property to minimize distortion in complex parts.
• Allow sufficient machining allowance (approximately 0.3-0.5mm per side) to compensate for potential distortion during heat treatment.
• Implement incremental machining with stress relief between operations for complex shapes.
• For critical dimensions, consider finishing after final heat treatment to ensure maximum precision.

Welding Recommendations

Welding of 1.2360 is difficult due to its high carbon and alloy content, but is possible with proper precautions:

• Preheat: 300-350°C (570-660°F)
• Filler Material: Similar composition or special tool steel welding electrodes
• Process: TIG/GTAW preferred for precision, SMAW possible with proper technique
• Interpass Temperature: Maintain 300-350°C (570-660°F)
• Post-weld Heat Treatment: Slow cool to 100°C (212°F), then temper immediately at a temperature 25-50°C (45-90°F) below the previous tempering temperature
• Hydrogen Control: Use low hydrogen processes and consumables; bake electrodes according to manufacturer recommendations
• Joint Design: Use simple joint designs with adequate access; avoid sharp corners
• Limitations: Best suited for repair welding rather than structural joints
• Alternative: Consider brazing with high-temperature alloys for joining operations

Comparative Advantages over Other Tool Steel Grades

Understanding how 1.2360 tool steel flat bar compares to other grades helps in selecting the optimal material for your application:

Application-Specific Recommendations

FUSHUN METAL provides tailored recommendations for specific applications of 1.2360 tool steel flat bar:

Cutting and Blanking Applications

• Recommended hardness: 58-60 HRC for optimal balance of cutting performance and toughness
• For blanking and shearing operations, ensure proper edge geometry and support
• Implement double tempering cycles to ensure complete transformation of retained austenite
• For precision cutting edges, finish by grinding after heat treatment with fine wheels
• Maintain proper clearance angles (typically 0.5-1.5° per side) to optimize cutting performance
• When processing medium to high strength materials, consider cryogenic treatment for enhanced wear resistance
• For interrupted cutting operations, temper at slightly higher temperatures (220-250°C) to improve toughness
• Consider PVD coating with TiN or TiCN for enhanced performance in high-volume production

Forming and Bending Applications

• Recommended hardness: 56-58 HRC for optimal balance of wear resistance and toughness
• For forming operations, ensure well-polished surfaces (Ra ≤ 0.4μm) to reduce friction
• Design with adequate corner and edge radii to prevent premature failure
• For complex forming tools, take advantage of the air-hardening property to minimize distortion
• Implement adequate lubrication strategies to reduce wear and friction
• For progressive forming operations, ensure proper alignment and adequate support
• Consider nitriding after final heat treatment for improved surface hardness in severe applications
• For forming of high-strength materials, consider double tempering at the upper end of the recommended range

Plastic Mold Applications

• Recommended hardness: 54-58 HRC depending on the abrasiveness of the plastic compound
• For injection molds, ensure highly polished surfaces to facilitate part release
• Design with proper cooling channels for temperature control during molding
• For glass-filled and other abrasive compounds, consider higher hardness (58-60 HRC)
• Implement proper venting to prevent gas trapping and surface defects
• For long production runs, consider PVD coating or nitriding for enhanced surface durability
• Take advantage of the good dimensional stability for precision molding applications
• For textured surfaces, apply texturing after final heat treatment to ensure durability

Customization Capabilities

FUSHUN METAL offers extensive customization options to meet your specific application requirements:

• Custom Dimensions: Special sizes manufactured to exact specifications for your application.
• Modified Chemical Composition: Slight adjustments to standard composition available to optimize specific properties.
• Special Melting Routes: Vacuum degassed or electroslag remelted material available for critical applications requiring enhanced cleanliness.
• Pre-Machining Services: Basic machining including cutting to length, face milling, drilling, and tapping available.
• Heat Treatment Services: Custom heat treatment to achieve specific hardness levels.
• Surface Treatments: Nitriding, PVD coating, and other treatments available upon request.
• Specialized Testing: Application-specific testing protocols available upon request.
• Custom Packaging: Specialized packaging for long-term storage or export shipments.
• Edge Preparation: Chamfering and deburring of edges for safe handling.
• Technical Consultation: Expert metallurgical support for your specific application challenges.
• Material Certification: Enhanced certification packages for critical applications.
• Preformed Blanks: Basic pre-forms available to reduce machining time.
• Microstructural Customization: Specialized heat treatments to optimize microstructure for specific applications.

Why Choose FUSHUN METAL for 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar

When you select FUSHUN METAL as your supplier for 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar, you partner with a leading manufacturer committed to excellence:

• Cold Work Tool Steel Expertise: Specialized experience in manufacturing premium air-hardening tool steel products with optimal properties.
• Advanced Production Facilities: State-of-the-art melting, forging, and processing equipment specifically optimized for high-alloy tool steels.
• Stringent Quality Control: Comprehensive testing and inspection protocols ensure consistent performance in demanding applications.
• Metallurgical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of heat treatment and microstructural control of complex tool steels.
• Supply Chain Reliability: Robust inventory management and production planning to ensure consistent availability of critical materials.
• Technical Support: Expert assistance in material selection, heat treatment guidance, and application support.
• Global Capabilities: Worldwide shipping network with experience in international documentation and compliance.
• Material Traceability: Complete documentation and batch traceability for quality assurance.
• Continuous Improvement: Ongoing research and development in tool steel processing and performance.
• Industry Compliance: Materials and processes that meet or exceed international standards for critical applications.
• Competitive Pricing: Excellent value combined with superior quality and service.
• Environmental Responsibility: Commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices and environmental management.

Request Information

Contact FUSHUN METAL today to discuss your 1.2360 Tool Steel Flat Bar requirements. Our technical team is ready to assist you with:

• Detailed product specifications
• Technical consultations for your specific application
• Heat treatment recommendations for optimal properties
• Custom dimension and processing requirements
• Pricing inquiries and delivery schedules
• Sample requests for evaluation

FUSHUN METAL – Your trusted partner for premium air-hardening tool steel solutions that deliver consistent quality, excellent dimensional stability, and an optimal balance of wear resistance and toughness for versatile industrial tooling applications.