Sandvik launches Osprey HWTS 50 hot-work tool steel powder
Sweden’s Sandvik AB has introduced Osprey HWTS 50, a hot-work tool steel powder designed for enhanced manufacturability. Primarily developed for Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing, it is also well-suited for Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
The tempering and thermal fatigue resistance, as well as thermal conductivity of Osprey HWTS 50, are improved when compared with conventional H-class hot work tool steels. These advanced properties are intended to effectively address many common challenges in hot-work applications within general engineering, stated Sandvik.
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Osprey HWTS 50 also improves the processability of (PBF-LB)), lowering the susceptibility of cold cracking compared with conventional H-class hot work tool steels. Typical applications include high-pressure die casting dies, injection molds, and hot forming tools.
The chemical composition is tailored for improved hot hardness at temperatures exceeding 600°C. It is characterised by lower carbon content compared with those of medium carbon hot work tool steels and modifications to the carbide forming elements. This is to ensure a comparable or even enhanced tempering resistance despite lower carbon wt.%.
The thermal conductivity of Osprey HWTS 50 is higher compared to medium carbon tool steels over a wide temperature range. High thermal conductivity is beneficial for applications running at elevated temperatures, such as die casting and forging, explains Sandvik. It ensures rapid and efficient heat dissipation, resulting in faster cycles.
“Additive Manufacturing is increasingly being used to produce tools and dies with near-surface conformal cooling channels. Besides optimising processing parameters, it is important to develop chemistries specifically tailored for this technology to address fabrication challenges,” stated Faraz Deirmina, Principal Metallurgist in metal powder at Sandvik. “Osprey HWTS 50 is designed to alleviate these challenges making it highly suitable for tooling applications at elevated temperatures. Examples are hot forming dies, extrusion and injection molding dies, and high pressure die casting dies.”
Osprey HWTS 50 metal powder is manufactured by either induction melting under Vacuum Inert Gas Atomisation (VIGA) or melting under argon prior to Inert Gas Atomisation (IGA). This produces a powder with a spherical morphology, which provides good flow characteristics and high packing density. In addition, the powder has a low oxygen content and low impurity levels, resulting in a metallurgically clean product with enhanced mechanical performance.
Sandvik added that key application areas for Osprey HWTS 50 include:
- Mold making: Injection molds
- Extrusion dies: Mandrels and cores
- Hot forging: Dies and components
- Die casting tooling: Hot gripper dies and related components
- Tool holders: Various tooling applications
- Mold repair: Rebuilding die casting molds via Direct Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing
Discover more about Osprey HWTS 50 here.
