X40CrMoV5-1 applications include bolsters, die cases, die holders, shear blades for hot work and hot swaging dies.

Preheat the steel slowly to 750°C then increase more rapidly to 1050-1100°C. Do not forge below 850°C. It is essential to cool slowly after forging.

As this specification is supplied in the annealed and machineable condition re-annealing will only be necessary if the steel has been forged or hardened. Soak thoroughly and uniformly at 840-860°C before furnace cooling at a maximum rate of 20°C per hour down to 600°C , then cool in air.

If tools made from X40CrMoV5-1 steel are heavily machined, the relief of internal strains is advisable before hardening to minimise the possibility of distortion. Stress relieving should be done after rough machining. To stress relieve, heat the component carefully to 700°C and then allow a good soaking period (two hours per 25mm of section). Cool in a furnace or in air.

Preheat the component to 780-820°C. Soak thoroughly, then increase rapidly to a hardening temperature of 1000-1030°C. When the component has attained this temperature, soak for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Cool in air. Larger sections may be quenched in oil. X40CrMoV5-1 steel may be vacuum hardened or pack hardened, tools should be tempered once they become hand-warm.