L6 Tool Steel Technical Data

L-6 is a tough, oil-hardening tool steel possessing a fine-grained structure and desirable shock resistance. L-6 is also associated with high strength and good non-deforming characteristics.  Decarb Free.

Note: K-mac does not sell this grade - Data is for reference only.

Forging:  Start forging at: 1800-2000°F (982-1093°C) Do not forge below: 1550°F (843°C)

Normalizing:  1600°F (871°C)

Annealing:  Temperature: 1400-1450°F (760-788°C) Rate of cooling, max. per hour: 40°F (22°C) Typical annealed hardness, Brinell: 183-255

Hardening: Rate of heating: Slowly Hardening temperature: 1450-1550°F (788-843°C) Time at temperature, minutes: 10-30  Quenching medium: O 

Tempering: Tempering temperature: 350-1000°F (177-538°C) Approx. tempered hardness, Rockwell C: 45-62

Wear Resistance: Medium

Toughness: Very High

Resistance to Softening Effect of Elevated Temperature: Low

Depth of Hardening: Medium

Machinability: Medium

Grindability: High

Distortion in Heat Treating: Low

Safety in Hardening: Medium

Resistance to Decarburization: High

Carbon: .65 / .75

Manganese: .25 / .80

Silicon: .50 max.

Tungsten: --

Molybdenum: .50 max.

Chromium: .60 / 1.20

Vanadium: .30 max.

Nickel: 1.25 / 2.00