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P6 Tool Steel | T51606 | 1.2735 | Low Carbon Mold Steel
- John
SteelPro Group, a global leader in carbon steel, offers high-quality P6 Tool Steel products, including bars, rods, billets, and custom forgings. Designed for molds, cutting tools, and industrial components, our P6 steel meets the highest standards for performance and reliability.
What Is P6 Tool Steel?
P6 Tool Steel, also known as SAE P6, is a low-carbon carburizing tool steel alloyed with chromium and nickel. It undergoes deep hardening and is used in applications requiring high magnetic efficiency with low magnetizing force. P6 combines high hysteresis loss and low magnetizing force, making it ideal for semi-hard and hard magnetic alloys. Its brittleness makes it harder to manufacture than high-coercivity materials.
P6 Steel Equivalent
The following are the equivalent grades and standards for P6 Tool Steel:
- ASTM A681 P6
- GB Co45NiV4/2J04
- UNS T51606
- DIN 1.2735
- JIS SKC31
P6 Tool Steel Products Forms And Supply Range
| Product Form | Dimension Range (Metric) | Dimension Range (Imperial) |
| Bars | Diameter: 10 mm to 300 mm | 0.39″ to 11.81″ |
| Length: 1000 mm to 4000 mm | 39.37″ to 157.48″ | |
| Rods | Diameter: 10 mm to 250 mm | 0.39″ to 9.84″ |
| Length: 1000 mm to 4000 mm | 39.37″ to 157.48″ | |
| Billets | Cross-sectional: 50 mm x 50 mm to 300 mm x 300 mm | 1.97″ x 1.97″ to 11.81″ x 11.81″ |
| Length: 1000 mm to 4000 mm | 39.37″ to 157.48″ | |
| Forgings | Diameter: 50 mm to 300 mm | 1.97″ to 11.81″ |
| Length: 1000 mm to 4000 mm | 39.37″ to 157.48″ |
P6 Tool Steel Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition |
| Carbon (C) | 0.050 – 0.15 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 1.25 – 1.75 % |
| Iron (Fe) | 92.8 – 95 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.35 – 0.70 % |
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.25 – 3.75 % |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 % |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 – 0.40 % |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 % |
P6 Tool Steel Physical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Density | 7.85 g/cc | 0.284 lb/in³ |
| Melting Point | 1400 – 1450 °C | 2552 – 2642 °F |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 12.0 µm/m·°C | 6.67 µin/in·°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 20 – 25 W/m·K | 13.8 – 17.2 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.46 J/g·K | 0.11 BTU/lb·°F |
P6 Tool Steel Mechanical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Tensile Strength | 850 – 1100 MPa | 123,000 – 159,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 600 – 800 MPa | 87,000 – 116,000 psi |
| Elongation | 12 – 18 % | 12 – 18 % |
| Hardness, Rockwell C | 58 – 64 | 58 – 64 |
| Impact Toughness (Charpy V-notch) | 10 – 20 J | 7.4 – 14.8 ft-lb |
| Modulus of Resilience | 200 – 250 MPa | 29,000 – 36,250 psi |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.27 – 0.30 | 0.27 – 0.30 |
Manufacturing And Process of P6 Tool Steel
Forging
Heat the material to 2150°F (1177°C) and maintain the temperature for 1 hour to ensure it is evenly heated. During forging, maintain the working temperature above 1850°F (1010°C) to avoid damaging the material’s structure.
After forging, a solution treatment is required to refine the microstructure and prepare the steel for subsequent hardening.
Heat Treatment
Start with austenitizing at 800°C to 850°C (1472°F to 1562°F), followed by oil quenching for hardness. To balance toughness and strength, temper at 150°C to 250°C (302°F to 482°F).
For applications requiring magnetic stability, a cryogenic process to transform retained austenite is highly beneficial.
Machinability
P6 Tool Steel works best when machined in its annealed condition. For tougher applications, it’s a smart move to finish most machining before the final heat treatment to avoid unnecessary challenges.
We suggest using high-quality cutting tools, such as carbide or coated tools, along with a steady flow of cutting fluid to keep everything cool and achieve a clean, precise finish.
Welding
P6 Tool Steel is ideally welded using fusion or resistance welding techniques. It is recommended to avoid oxyacetylene welding, as it may lead to cracking due to the material’s brittleness.
Preheating is important to reduce thermal stress, and post-weld stress-relief treatment helps maintain stability. For optimal results, we recommend AWS E/ER630 filler material To ensure a solid and long-lasting weld.
P6 Tool Steel Applications
Over the years, we have collaborated closely with producers to deliver premium P6 steel. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common uses for P6 Tool Steel, based on our extensive experience in the field.
- Mold Making: Plastic injection molds, compression molds, die-casting dies.
- Cutting Tools: Shear blades, punches.
- Industrial Components: Rolls, gears, shafts, springs.
- Forging Tools: Components for high-pressure forging processes.
Your Trusted Partner for High-Performance P6 Tool Steel
SteelPro Group offers high-quality P6 Tool Steel in bars, rods, billets, and precision-forged components, tailored to your exact needs. Our services include heat treatment, cryogenic processing, polishing, and custom coatings to enhance durability and performance.
We also provide T1 tool steel. Contact us today for a quote or to discuss the best solution for your project—your success starts with us!
