Powder pressing compacts metal or ceramic powders in hardened steel dies using high uniaxial pressure. With powder materials like iron, steel, copper, and ceramics, it produces precise green parts for gears, bushings, structural components, filters, and cutting tool substrates.
Powder pressing, or powder compaction, is a primary step in powder metallurgy used to form metal or ceramic powders into dimensionally stable green parts. The process involves filling a die cavity with a precisely metered powder blend and applying uniaxial pressure through upper and lower punches. This pressure consolidates the particles, achieving sufficient green strength for subsequent sintering. Common powders processed include iron, steel, copper, tungsten, carbide, stainless steel, and advanced ceramics. Tooling consists of hardened steel dies, punches, core rods, and ejector systems, mainly made of advanced Cold Work Tool Steels, engineered to maintain tight tolerances and withstand compressive load and abrasive wear. Lubricants and binders are added to improve flowability and reduce friction during ejection. Process variables such as compaction pressure, powder particle size, density distribution, and tooling alignment directly influence final part properties. Powder pressing is widely used for gears, bushings, structural automotive components, cutting tool substrates, filters, magnetic parts, and medical or industrial ceramic components.
BÖHLER K340 ISODUR belongs to the group of 8% chromium steels. This tool steel is produced using the electro-slag remelting (ESR) process developed by BÖHLER. This re-melting technology ensures the lowest micro and macro segregation as well as excellent purity and uniformity of the material. Compared to conventional 12% chromium steels, BÖHLER K340 ISODUR offers significantly better toughness, hardening response and higher resistance to adhesive wear. This material is therefore used in virtually all cold work applications in situations where tool steels like 1.2379 are insufficient in terms of adhesive wear resistance and toughness. K340 ISODUR also features better machinability and reduces the risk of stress cracking during electrical discharge machining.
Read MoreBÖHLER K360 ISODUR belongs to the group of 8% chromium steels. This tool steel is produced using the electro-slag remelting (ESR) process developed by BÖHLER. This re-melting technology ensures the lowest micro and macro segregation as well as excellent purity and uniformity of the material. The alloy composition with higher molybdenum and vanadium content makes BÖHLER K360 ISODUR even more wear resistant than BÖHLER K340 ISODUR. Compared to tool steels like 1.2379 (D2), this combination of better toughness and wear resistance offers significant advantages for punching and cutting tools.
Read MoreBÖHLER K390 MICROCLEAN is a high-alloyed, high-performance cold work tool steel manufactured using powder metallurgy. This material has the highest alloy content in the group of cold work tool steels with high vanadium content. The high alloy content gives this material outstanding wear resistance. At the same time, the powder metallurgical manufacturing process creates a uniform matrix with finely distributed primary carbides. Among other things, this leads to good material toughness. BÖHLER K390 MICROCLEAN is a problem solver for applications requiring extremely high wear resistance and compressive strength.
Read MoreBÖHLER K888 MATRIX – This MATRIX steel offers an excellent combination of high toughness and high compressive strength. MATRIX materials have high toughness, which is a critical factor in many applications. However, the hardness achievable with commonly used MATRIX steels often limits the potential applications. BÖHLER K888 MATRIX breaks through this barrier and offers the best of both worlds of matrix steels and high alloy tool steels. BÖHLER K888 MATRIX is a unique problem solver in situations where high compressive strength and toughness are required. Its advantageous tempering behavior with a pronounced secondary hardness maximum also enables the use of advanced coatings.
Read MoreBÖHLER K890 MICROCLEAN is a high-performance cold work tool steel manufactured using powder metallurgy. It features good toughness, very high compressive strength and excellent fatigue strength. This favorable combination of properties can avoid chipping damages to tools. BÖHLER K890 MICROCLEAN is not only used in cold work applications, but also in mold making.
Read MoreBÖHLER M390 MICROCLEAN is a corrosion-resistant, martensitic chromium steel produced by powder metallurgy. Due to its alloy design, this steel has very high wear resistance and good corrosion resistance. In addition, BÖHLER M390 MICROCLEAN is approved for food and beverage contact.
Read MoreBÖHLER N695 is a corrosion-resistant, martensitic chromium steel with a high carbon content and added molybdenum.
Read MoreBÖHLER S390 MICROCLEAN – “The decathlete” This grade is our PM steel with many positive usage properties. For twist drills, taps, mills, broaches, or cold-work applications, BÖHLER S390 MICROCLEAN is always a high performer.
Read MoreBÖHLER S590 MICROCLEAN – “The expert” High-speed steel manufactured in a powder metallurgy process, with good hot hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance. PM technology gives it good toughness and excellent workability, such as the best machinability.
Read MoreBÖHLER S600 – “The high-speed steel” Ideal for mills, twist drills, and taps, broaches, cold-work tools. BÖHLER S600 is the most commonly used high-speed steel and is the starting material for our customers who deal with high-speed steel.
Read MoreUddeholm Vanadis 8 SuperClean sets a new standard for Powder Metallurgical Tool Steel. The technological advancements makes this cold work tool steel superior to its predecessors. The unprecedented combination of extremely high wear and chipping resistance paired with improved machining properties raises production rates and reduces costs. Benefits Lower price per produced part Longer tool life Predictable Production Standard specification AISI D2 / AFNOR de type Z230VCD8.5.4
Read MoreUddeholm Vanadis 8 XL is specifically developed for extremely demanding tool steel applications where abrasive wear is the primary challenge. Its exceptional wear resistance makes it an ideal substitute for hard metals, especially in applications involving highly abrasive working materials. Uddeholm Vanadis 8 XL is not only strong and durable, but also a well-thought-out, sustainable choice. The longer tool life means fewer tool changes and less maintenance, saving time, costs, resources and is also cobalt-free, supporting our customers’ goals to reduce their environmental impact. By offering Uddeholm Vanadis 8 XL, we are taking concrete steps for a sustainable future. Benefits With its superior wear resistance, Uddeholm Vanadis 8 XL offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to cemented carbide in the most demanding tool applications. Standard specification AISI M2 / W.nr 1.3343
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