CPM M4
Crucible Particle Metallurgy high-speed steel with exceptionally high vanadium (4%) and carbon (1.42%) content. Combines the red hardness of M2 HSS with wear resistance approaching carbide. PM process ensures uniform fine carbide distribution impossible in conventional melting. Hardened to 62–66 HRC. Used for end mills, broaches, hobs, form tools, cold heading dies, slitter knives and applications where conventional HSS wears too fast but carbide is too brittle. Popular in knife community for extreme edge retention.
Mechanical properties
Related materials
X210Cr12
1.2080High-carbon high-chromium cold-work tool steel. Excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability after heat treatment. Used for blanking and forming dies, drawing mandrels, gauges, shear blades, and thread rolling dies. Not suitable for impact loading.
D2 / X155CrVMo12-1
1.2379Premium high-carbon high-chromium cold-work tool steel with vanadium and molybdenum. Air-hardening with minimal distortion. Superior wear resistance and edge retention. The global benchmark for cold stamping dies, blanking tools, shear blades, and forming tools.
P20 / 40CrMnMo7
1.2311Pre-hardened plastic mold steel (usually delivered at 28-34 HRC). The most widely used mold base steel globally. Good machinability in pre-hardened condition, good polishability. Used for injection molds, die-casting dies, extrusion tooling, and structural mold components.
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