ASSAB XW-10

UDDEHOLM
RIGOR

ASSAB XW-10

REFERENCE STANDARD

ASSAB DF-2

ARNE

ASSAB DF-3

AISI

WNr.

JIS

O1

(1.2510)

(SKS 3)

O1

(1.2510)

(SKS 3)

ASSAB XW-5

SVERKER 3

D6 (D3)

(1.2436)

(SKD 2)

ASSAB XW-10

RIGOR

A2

1.2363

SKD 12

ASSAB XW-41

SVERKER 21

D2

1.2379

SKD 11

D2

1.2379

SKD 11

ASSAB XW-42
CARMO

CARMO

1.2358

CALMAX

CALMAX

1.2358

CALDIE

CALDIE

ASSAB 88

SLEIPNER

ASSAB PM 23 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 23 SUPERCLEAN

(M3:2)

1.3395

SKH 53

ASSAB PM 30 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 30 SUPERCLEAN

(M3:2 + Co)

1.3294

SKH 40

ASSAB PM 60 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 60 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 4 EXTRA SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 6 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN

VANADIS 10 SUPERCLEAN

VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN

VANCRON 40 SUPERCLEAN

ELMAX SUPERCLEAN

ELMAX SUPERCLEAN

(1.3292)

ASSAB 518

P20

1.2311

ASSAB 618

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 618 HH

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 618 T

P20 Mod.

1.2738 Mod.

ASSAB 718 SUPREME

IMPAX SUPREME

P20 Mod.

1.2738

ASSAB 718 HH

IMPAX HH

P20 Mod.

1.2738

NIMAX

NIMAX

MIRRAX 40

MIRRAX 40

VIDAR 1 ESR

VIDAR 1 ESR

UNIMAX

UNIMAX

CORRAX

CORRAX

ASSAB 2083

420 Mod.
H11

1.2343

SKD 6

420

1.2083

SUS 420J2

STAVAX ESR

STAVAX ESR

420 Mod.

1.2083 ESR

SUS 420J2

MIRRAX ESR

MIRRAX ESR

420 Mod.

POLMAX

POLMAX

RAMAX HH

RAMAX HH

ROYALLOY

ROYALLOY

420 F Mod.

PRODAX
ASSAB MM40
ALVAR 14

ALVAR 14

ASSAB 2714
ASSAB 8407 2M

ORVAR 2M

ASSAB 8407 SUPREME

ORVAR SUPREME

DIEVAR

DIEVAR

HOTVAR

HOTVAR

QRO 90 SUPREME

QRO 90 SUPREME

1.2714

SKT 4

1.2714

SKT 4

H13

1.2344

SKD 61

H13 Premium

1.2344 ESR

SKD 61

4340

1.6582

SNCM8

ASSAB 709

4140

1.7225

SCM4

ASSAB 760

1050

1.1730

S50C

ASSAB 705

ASSAB is a trademark of ASSAB Pacific Pte Ltd.

The information contained herein is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses.
It should not therefore be construed as a warranty of specific properties of the products described or a warranty for fitness for a particular purpose.
Each user of ASSAB products is responsible for making its own determination as to the suitability of ASSAB products and services.
Edition D140711

ASSAB XW-10

General

Properties

ASSAB XW-10 is an air hardening chromium-molybdenumvanadium alloyed tool steel characterised by:
Good machinability
Good dimensional stability during heat treatment
High compressive strength
Good hardenability
Good wear resistance

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Typical analysis %
Standard
specification
Delivery condition
Colour code

C
Si
Mn
Cr
Mo
V
1.0
0.3
0.6
5.3
1.1
0.2
AISI A2, WNr. 1.2363, SKD 12,
Euro X 100 CrMoV 5
Soft annealed to approx. 215 HB
Red / Green

Applications
ASSAB XW-10 has an excellent combination of wear and
chipping resistance, and its hardenability is well suited for
modern heat treatment. The properties profile combine
to give a tool steel suitable for the manufacture of
medium run tooling for applications where a combination
of resistance to abrasive wear and chipping is needed.
ASSAB XW-10 may be regarded, therefore, as a general
purpose cold work tool steel.
For cutting operations, the good toughness of ASSAB
XW-10 gives excellent resistance to chipping of the
cutting edge. In many cases, tools made from ASSAB
XW-10 have given better tooling economy than highcarbon, high-chromium steel of the AISI D3 / WNr. 2080
type. ASSAB XW-10 also has excellent machining and
grinding properties.
ASSAB XW-10 can be supplied in various surface
executions including hot rolled, pre-machined, and fine
machined condition. It is also available in the form of
hollow bars and rings.
BLANKING AND CUTTING
Application
Tools for:
Blanking, punching,
piercing, cropping, shearing,
trimming, clipping

Work
material
thickness

Hardness
HRC

< 3 mm
3 - 6 mm
6 - 10 mm

60 - 62
56 - 60
54 - 56

Short cold shears

Rotary shear blades for plastic waste
Clipping, trimming tools
for forgings

Hot
Cold

Tools for:
Bending, raising, deep drawing,
rim-rolling, spinning and flow-forming

20C

200C

400C

Density
kg/m3

7 750

7 700

7 650

Modulus of elasticity
MPa

190 000

185 000

170 000

Coefficient of
thermal expansion
per C from 20C

11.6 x 10 -6

11.3 x 10 -6

Thermal
conductivity
W/m C

26.0

27.0

28.5

Specific heat
J/kg C

460

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
Approximate compressive yield strength at room
temperature.
Hardness
HRC

Compressive yield strength

Rc0.2 (MPa)

50

1350

55

1800

60

2150

62

2200

Heat treatment
SOFT ANNEALING
Protect the steel and heat through to 850C. Cool in
the furnace at 10C per hour to 650C, then freely in air.
STRESS RELIEVING
After rough machining, the tool should be heated through
to 650C, holding time 2 hours. Cool slowly to 500C,
then freely in air.
Preheating temperature: 650 - 750C
Austenitising temperature: 925 - 970C, but usually
940 - 960C

56 - 60

Temperature
C

Soaking time
minutes

Hardness before
tempering

58 - 60
56 - 58

925

40

632 HRC

950

30

642 HRC

970

20

642 HRC

Hardness
HRC
56 - 62

Coining dies

56 - 60

Tube forming rolls

Section forming rolls

58 - 62

Master hobs for cold hobbing

Swaging blocks
Gauges, measuring tools, guide rails, bushes,
sleeves
Dies and inserts for moulding tablets,
abrasive plastics

Temperature

HARDENING

FORMING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS

Application

Hardened and tempered to 62 HRC.

58 - 60
56 - 60
58 - 62
58 - 62

Soaking time = Time at hardening temperature after the

tool is fully heated through.
Protect the part against decarburisation and oxidation during
hardening.
QUENCHING MEDIA
Circulating air or atmosphere
Vacuum furnace with high speed gas at sufficient
overpressure
Martempering bath or fluidised bed at 180 - 220C or
450 - 550C, then cool in air
Warm oil, approx. 80C

ASSAB XW-10

Hardness, retained austenite and grain size as

functions of austenitising temperature

Fine machined tool steel bars. ASSAB XW-10 (Uddeholm

Rigor) can be supplied in fine machined condition.

DIMENSIONAL CHANGES
Dimensional changes during hardening
Specimen size: 100 x 100 x 25 mm
TEMPERING
Choose the tempering temperature according to the
hardness required by reference to the tempering graph.
Temper at least twice with intermediate cooling to
room temperature. The lowest tempering temperature
which should be used is 180C. The minimum holding
time at temperature is 2 hours.
Tempering graph

Hardening from
960C
Oil hardened
Martempered
Air hardened

Width
%

Length
%

Thickness
%

Min.
Max.
Min.
Max.

-0.10
-0.05
+0.04
+0.05

-0.02
+0.06
+0.06
+0.08

-0.05

+0.04

Min.
Max.

+0.08
+0.14

+0.13
+0.15

+0.04

Dimensional changes during tempering

The tempering graphs are valid for small samples. The

hardness achieved is also dependent on the tool size.

Note: The dimensional changes during hardening and

tempering should be added together.
SUB-ZERO TREATMENT
Parts requiring maximum dimensional stability should
be sub-zero treated, otherwise volume changes
may arise in the course of time. This applies to, for
examples, measuring tools like gauges and certain
structural components.
Immediately after quenching, the piece should be
sub-zero treated, followed by tempering. ASSAB
XW-10 is commonly sub-zero treated between -150C
and -196C, although occasionally -40C and lower
temperatures (e.g., -80C) are used due to constraints
of the sub-zero medium and equipment available. A
treatment time of 1 - 3 hours at temperature will give a
hardness increase of 1 - 3 HRC.
Avoid intricate shapes as there is a risk of cracking.
4

ASSAB XW-10

Welding

Machining recommendations

There is a general tendency for tool steel to crack after

welding. When welding is required, take proper precautions
with regards to joint preparation, filler material selection,
preheating, welding procedure and postweld heat treatment
to ensure good welding results. If the tool is to be polished
or photo-etched, it is necessary to work with an electrode
type of matching composition.

The cutting data below are to be considered as guiding

values and as starting points for developing your own
best practice.

Welding
method
Preheating
temp.1

TIG
250C

Type AWS ER 312

(buffering layers)
Filler
material

UTP A73G2
UTP A67S
CastoTIG 53

Maximum
interpass
temp.2
Postweld
cooling

400C

Hardness
after
welding

UTP A73G2
53 - 56 HRC
UTP A67S
55 - 58 HRC
CastoTIG 5
60 - 64 HRC

TURNING
Cutting data
parameters

MMA

Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f)
mm/r
Depth of cut (ap)
mm

250C
Type AWS E 312
(buffering layers)
ESAB OK 84.52

Carbide
designation
ISO

UTP 67S
Castolin 2
Castolin N 102
400C

20 - 40C/h for the first 2 hours, then freely

in air < 70C
Type AWS ER 312
(buffering layers)
300 HB

Condition: Soft annealed condition ~215 HB

Temper 10 - 20C below the original

tempering temperature.

Soft
annealed
condition

Soft anneal according to the Heat treatment

recommendation.

Preheating temperature must be established throughout the tool and must

be maintained for the entire welding process, to prevent weld cracking.
For hardened and tempered tool, the actual preheat temperature used is
typically lower than the original tempering temperature to prevent a drop
in hardness.

The temperature of the tool in the weld area immediately before the second
and subsequent pass of a multiple pass weld. When exceeded, there is a
risk of distortion of the tool or soft zones around the weld.

3 Should not be used for more than 4 layers because of the increased risk
of cracking.

18 - 23

0.2 - 0.4

0.05 - 0.2

0.05 - 0.3

2-4

0.5 - 2

0.5 - 2

P20 - P30 *
Coated
carbide

P10 *
Coated carbide
or cermet

High speed steel

Drill diameter
mm

Cutting speed (vc)

m/min

Feed (f)
mm/r

14 - 16 *

0.05 - 0.15

5 - 10

14 -

16*

0.15 - 0.20

10 - 15

14 - 16 *

0.20 - 0.25

15 - 20

14 - 16 *

0.25 - 0.35

* For coated HSS drill, v = 24 - 26 m/min

c

Carbide drill
Cutting data
parameters
Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f)
mm/r
1
2

160 - 210

High speed steel twist drill

Heat treatment after welding

Hardened
condition

110 - 160

DRILLING

ESAB OK 84.52
53 - 54 HRC

Castolin 2
/ Castolin N 102
54 - 60 HRC

Fine turning

* Use a wear-resistant CVD coated carbide grade

Type AWS E 312

(buffering layers)
300 HB

UTP 67S
55 - 58 HRC

Rough
turning

Turning
with HSS
Fine
turning

Turning with carbide

Type of drill
Indexable
insert

Solid
carbide

Brazed
carbide1

150 - 170

80 - 100

50 - 60

0.05 - 0.252

0.10 - 0.252

0.15 - 0.252

Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip

Depending on drill diameter

MILLING
Face and square shoulder milling
Cutting data
parameters
Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f z)
mm/tooth
Depth of cut (ap)
mm
Carbide
designation
ISO

Milling with carbide

Rough milling

Fine milling

130 - 200

200 - 240

0.2 - 0.4

0.1 - 0.2

2-4

P20 - P40 *
Coated carbide

P10 - P20 *
Coated carbide
or cermet

* Use a wear-resistant CVD coated carbide grade

ASSAB XW-10

End milling
Cutting data
parameters
Cutting speed
(vc)
m/min
Feed (f z)
mm/tooth

Solid
carbide

Type of end mill

Carbide
High speed
indexable
steel
insert

80 - 120

120 - 170

15 - 201

0.03 - 0.2 2

0.08 - 0.2 2

0.05 - 0.352

P20 - P40 3
Coated
carbide

Carbide
designation
ISO
1

Time
h

Surface
hardness
HV0.2

Depth*
mm

10
30
60
10
30
60

1000
1000
1000
1050
1050
1050

0.17
0.25
0.32
0.19
0.26
0.32

750

0.14

Gas nitriding
at 510C
Plasma nitriding
at 480C
Gas nitrocarburising
at 580C
higher than the matrix hardness

Electrical discharge machining

GRINDING
Wheel recommendation
Soft annealed
condition

Hardened
condition

A 46 HV

A 46 HV

A 24 GV

A 36 GV

Cylindrical grinding

A 46 LV

A 60 KV

Internal grinding

A 46 JV

A 60 IV

Profile grinding

A 100 KV

A 120 JV

Face grinding
straight wheel
Face grinding
segments

Process

* N itriding depth is the distance from the surface where hardness is 50 HV

For coated HSS end mill, vc= 30 - 35 m/min

Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter
3 Use a wear-resistant CVD coated carbide grade
2

Type of grinding

The following surface hardness and nitriding depths will

be achieved after nitriding:

Surface treatment
NITRIDING AND NITROCARBURISING
Nitriding gives a hard surface, which is very resistant to
wear and erosion. A nitrided surface also increases the
corrosion resistance.

If EDM is performed in the hardened and tempered

condition, the EDMd surface is covered with a
resolidified layer (white layer) and a rehardened and
untempered layer, both of which are very brittle and
hence detrimental to the tool performance.
When a profile is produced by EDM, it is recommended
to finish with fine-sparking, i.e., low current, high
frequency. For optimal performance, the EDMd surface
should be ground/polished to remove the white layer
completely. The tool should then be retempered at
approx. 25C below the highest previous tempering
temperature.

Further information
For further information, i.e., steel selection, heat
treatment, application and availability, please contact our
ASSAB office nearest to you.

For best results, the following steps should be followed:

1. Rough machining
2. Stress tempering at 650C
3. Grinding
4. Nitriding

Relative comparison of ASSAB cold work tool steels

MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND RESISTANCE TO FAILURE MECHANISMS
ASSAB
grade
ASSAB DF-3
CALMAX
CALDIE (ESR)
ASSAB XW-10
ASSAB 88
ASSAB XW-42
ASSAB XW-5
VANADIS 4 EXTRA
VANADIS 10
VANCRON 40
ASSAB PM 23
ASSAB PM 30
ASSAB PM 60
AISI M2

Hardness/
Resistance
to plastic
deformation

Resistance to
Machinability

Grindability

Dimension
stability

Abrasive
wear

Adhesive
wear

Fatigue cracking resistance

Ductility/
Toughness/
resistance to
gross
chipping
cracking

ASSAB XW-10

Ningbo
ASSAB Tooling Technology
(Ningbo) Co., Ltd.
Tel : +86 574 8680 7188
Fax: +86 574 8680 7166
info.ningbo@assab.com

Cikarang*
PT. ASSAB Steels Indonesia
Tel : +62 21 461 1314
Fax: +62 21 461 1306/
+62 21 461 1309
info.cikarang@assab.com

MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur - Head Office
ASSAB Steels (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Tel : +60 3 6189 0022
Fax: +60 3 6189 0044/55
info.kualalumpur@assab.com

Tel : +62 21 5316 0720-1

Jiangxi*
ASSAB Tooling (Dong Guan)
Co, Ltd., Jiangxi Branch
Tel : +86 769 2289 7888
Fax : +86 769 2289 9312
info.jiangxi@assab.com

Choosing the right steel is of vital importance. ASSAB engineers

and metallurgists are always ready to assist you in your choice of
the optimum steel grade and the best treatment for each application.
ASSAB not only supplies steel products with superior quality, we offer
state-of-the-art machining, heat treatment and surface treatment
services to enhance steel properties to meet your requirement in
the shortest lead time. Using holistic approach as a one-stop solution
provider, we are more than just another tool steel supplier.
ASSAB and Uddeholm are present on every continent. This ensures
you that high-quality tool steels and local support are available
wherever you are. Together we secure our position as the world's
leading supplier of tooling materials.
For more information, please visit www.assab.com