PM23 — PM23 Powder Metallurgy High-Speed Steel — is a powder metallurgy hss supplied at HRC 64-65. Its chemistry centres on 1.28% carbon, 4.20% chromium, 5.00% molybdenum and 3.10% vanadium. Powder metallurgy — uniform, segregation-free microstructure. It is available from stock as precision-ground hardened round bar from Φ2 to Φ100 mm, and as machined rotary die bodies made to drawing.
What PM23 is, and where it fits
Grade selection is about matching the dominant failure mode. PM23's role in the range is clear: uniform structure for fine, chip-prone edges. If your dies fail by gradual wear, prioritise wear resistance. If they chip or crack, prioritise toughness — which usually means accepting a slightly lower hardness.
- GB (China)
- PM23
- AISI / ASTM (US)
- PM M3:2
- JIS (Japan)
- SKH40
- DIN / W-Nr (Germany)
- 1.3344 / HS6-5-3
Working hardness and what each band is for
PM23 hardens across a wide window, and the hardness you choose changes the tool's behaviour more than the grade does. Higher hardness buys wear resistance and edge retention at the cost of toughness; lower hardness does the reverse.
| Band | Hardness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary working range | 64 - 65 | First choice for standard production tooling |
| Secondary range | 60 - 64 | Where the application calls for more toughness or more wear resistance |
PM23 for hardened round bar and rotary dies
| Product line | Suitability | Working hardness | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardened round bar | Recommended (5/5) | HRC 64-65 | Precision die-cutting tooling, Long-life circular blades, Ultra-wear-resistant dies |
| custom rotary dies | Recommended (5/5) | HRC 64-65 | High-precision rotary dies, Long-life slitting rollers, Composite-material cutting rollers |
When to choose PM23 — and when not to
| Choose PM23 when… | Look at another grade when… |
|---|---|
| W2Mo9Cr4VCo8 dies micro-chip at coarse carbides despite correct heat treatment | Conventional HSS already achieves a predictable wear-out schedule |
| The tooth profile is fine-pitched with delicate roots | The real problem is die design, cutting pressure or edge support — fix that first |
| Changeover downtime costs more than the die itself |
Related grades and guides for PM23
PM23 FAQ
PM23 (PM23 Powder Metallurgy High-Speed Steel) is used for uniform structure, wear-resistant, precision dies applications. Powder metallurgy — uniform, segregation-free microstructure In practice it is supplied as hardened round bar for die making and as machined rotary die bodies, at 64-65 in normal production.