When it comes to choosing the right tool steel, there is often only one criterion in the foreground: the price. But this is exactly where it pays to take a closer look. Swiss Steel Group’s special steel, Thermodur E 40 K Superclean, demonstrates that a supposedly more expensive steel can be a significantly better choice from an overall cost perspective. Thanks to its unique properties 40 K Superclean not only offers outstanding performance but also significant advantages in terms of production efficiency and component service life.
OUTSTANDING PURITY FOR MAXIMUM RELIABILITY
Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is a high-purity tool steel with a microstructure designed to meet the special requirements of modern, highly stressed tools. In the production of E 40 K Superclean, the Swiss Steel Group relies on particularly careful control of the alloy components and an optimized melting process. In order to achieve the best degree of purity, this special steel is remelted using the electroslag remelting process (ESR). The resulting steel is characterized by an extremely low proportion of non-metallic inclusions—a feature known in the industry as “superclean”.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES YOU CAN SEE
High Toughness and Strength
Thermodur E 40 K Superclean offers an excellent combination of high strength and toughness. The result is significantly increased resistance to mechanical stresses and alternating thermal stresses that often occur in highly dynamic manufacturing processes.
Reduced Cracking
Thanks to its extremely clean microstructure, the special steel E 40 K Superclean has a significantly lower tendency to crack and chipping.
Excellent Polishability and Wear Resistance
The exceptional purity of E 40 K Superclean enables excellent polishability, making it ideal for applications that require a precise surface finish. It also offers high wear resistance, which remains constant even under extreme conditions and at high temperatures.
Good Thermal Conductivity
The improved thermal conductivity of Thermodur E 40 K Superclean ensures more efficient heat dissipation, resulting in better cycle times and more efficient processes and significantly reducing the risk of thermally induced tool damage.
EMPHASIZING TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP
Engineers and production managers know: Using the right material can make all the difference. The E 40 K Superclean impressively demonstrates that a slightly higher material price pays for itself after a short time through increased efficiency and reduced tool downtime. While cheaper steels often lead to production interruptions, higher maintenance costs and a shorter tool life, the Thermodur E 40 K Superclean scores with long-term stable processes and an outstanding tool life.
The economic advantages extend through the entire production and life-cycle, including reduced maintenance and downtimes, longer tool life, and improved component quality. For example, the E 40 K Superclean reduces the number of maintenance intervals required thanks to its high resistance and resistance to cracking. Less maintenance means more machine uptime and increased overall productivity.
Also, thanks to its superior material properties, Thermodur E 40 K Superclean lasts on average up to 50 percent longer in critical die casting applications than conventional tool steels. This reduces the need for frequent tool changes and saves costs. Plus, the low susceptibility to cracking and the high surface quality achieved by the Superclean effect contribute to improved component quality. This in turn leads to greater customer satisfaction and reduces rejects.
TOUGH ENOUGH FOR YOUR TOOL NEEDS
Developed for demanding applications, Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is used in a wide range of demanding applications in die casting, low pressure die casting, forging, extrusion and plastics processing. It is primarily used where maximum precision and durability are required, including the automotive industry, aerospace, plastics processing and mold making.
Typical applications range from highly stressed tools in the die casting sector that are prone to thermal shock cracks or have a difficult geometric design to components that require a high surface quality and wear resistance. These could include tools for use under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and dynamic thermal shock loads. Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is also available as Green Steel, allowing users to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
QUALITY PAYS OFF
Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is an investment in the future of your production. Even if the steel is more expensive to purchase, the long-term savings through increased productivity, reduced downtimes and higher component quality clearly outweigh the costs. With the E 40 K Superclean, you can rely on a tool steel that meets the increasing demands of modern manufacturing processes and, thanks to its outstanding properties, proves to be the more cost-effective solution throughout the entire production process.
Swiss Steel Group offers solutions focused on economic machinability, high wear resistance, and good thermal conductivity. Building on our broad product portfolio, comprised of cold work steels, hot work steels, high-speed steels and steels for plastic molding, we aim to be among the top three tool steel suppliers worldwide and position ourselves as the most renowned brand for innovation and best-in-class technical expertise. For more information, visit www.swisssteel-group.com.