General Information for Steel A6
Material Group |
P - Steel |
Sub-Group |
Tool Steel |
Tensile Strength |
720-775[N/mm^2] |
Machinability Range |
33% |
MACHINABILITY OF A6 STEEL
Steel A6 is a tool steel (High-alloy steel) that has on top of the 0.7% of carbon an additional 4.8% of manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. (See details in the table below). Steel A6 has a machinability rating of 33%.
Steel A6 belongs to the "A series" of tool steels. They are classified as air-hardening, cold-work steel and contain high carbon content (around 1%). Tool steels in this series (A2-A10) have a machinability rating of 30-40%. The relatively high carbon content yields higher hardness and strength, resulting in low machinability
SUMMARY:
For turning operations on Steel A6, lower cutting speed is recommended due to the low machinability. Therefore, in most cases it is recommended to use a grade with high hardness and PVD coating. For milling, opt for a grade with relatively hard substrate.
For detailed carbide grades recommendations,check the table below.
Recommended cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 410 - 540 [SFM] / 125 - 165 [m/min].
Recommended cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short over hang is 250 - 340 [SFM] / 75 - 105 [m/min]
For detailed cutting speed recommendations, check the table below.
Equivalent International Designations for Steel A6
Chemical Composition for Steel A6
Element |
Amount |
Manganese (Mn) |
1.80-2.50% |
Molybdenum (Mo) |
0.90-1.40% |
Chromium (Cr) |
0.90-1.20% |
Carbon (C) |
0.65-0.75% |
Silicon (Si) |
0.50 max% |
Nickel (Ni) |
Max 0.03% |
Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Steel A6
Application |
Vc (m/min) |
Vc (SFM) |
Turning |
125-165 |
410-540 |
Milling |
75-105 |
250-340 |
Parting |
60-80 |
200-260 |
Grooving |
70-95 |
230-310 |
Drilling |
50-65 |
160-210 |
Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:
- Most suitable carbide grade
- Stable tool clamping
- Stableworkpiece clamping
- Goodqualityraw material
- Ashort overhangof the cutting tool.
- Nominalhardnessof the material.
- etc.
Recommended Carbide Grades for Steel A6
Grade for Milling (Indexable)
Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Steel A6
Honing Size |
0.05-0.08 mm / 0.002-0.003" |
Rake Angle |
11° -13° |
Land Angle |
Positive |
Land Width |
0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012" |