Quick Technical Comparison

Alternative Names, Spellings and Transliteration

9KhS Steel Names

The original Russian designation is 9ХС.

Common English and digital variations include:

• 9KhS steel
• 9KHS steel
• 9XC steel
• 9XS steel
• 9HS steel
• 9ХС steel
• 9XC Russian steel grade
• Russian 9KhS steel

The form 9XC is normally a visual or keyboard representation of the Cyrillic designation 9ХС. The Cyrillic letters Х and С resemble the Latin letters X and C, but the correct technical transliteration is normally Kh and S.

Therefore, 9XC steel, 9KhS steel and 9ХС steel generally refer to the same Russian grade, provided the governing standard is GOST 5950-2000.

U8A Steel Names

Common forms include:

• U8A steel
• У8А steel
• U8A tool steel
• U8A carbon tool steel
• Russian U8A steel
• U8A high-carbon steel

The Cyrillic letter У is transliterated as U. The grade must not be confused with U8, because the final letter A identifies a higher-quality composition with tighter limits on harmful residual elements.

EK-80Sh Steel Names

Common forms include:

• EK-80Sh steel
• EK80Sh steel
• EK80-Sh steel
• EK-80Sh tool steel
• ЭК80-Ш steel
• ЭК-80Ш steel
• 95Kh6M3F3ST-Sh steel
• 95Х6М3Ф3СТ-Ш steel
• EK-80Sh ESR steel

The designation EK80 is an established material designation, while 95Х6М3Ф3СТ describes the alloy more directly through its approximate carbon and alloying-element content.

The suffix -Ш, transliterated as -Sh, identifies material produced by electroslag remelting.

Steel Grade Designations Explained

Meaning of 9KhS / 9ХС

The Russian designation 9ХС can be interpreted as follows:

• 9 indicates approximately 0.9% carbon.
• Х or Kh indicates chromium.
• С or S indicates silicon.

9KhS is therefore a high-carbon chromium-silicon tool steel. Chromium improves hardenability and wear resistance, while silicon contributes to strength, elastic properties and resistance to tempering-related softening within the grade’s working range.

Meaning of U8A / У8А

The U8A designation can be interpreted as follows:

• U or У identifies carbon tool steel.
• 8 indicates approximately 0.8% carbon.
• A or А identifies a high-quality grade with reduced sulphur and phosphorus limits.

U8A is an unalloyed tool steel. Its performance comes primarily from carbon content and controlled heat treatment rather than from substantial chromium, molybdenum or vanadium additions.

Meaning of 95Kh6M3F3ST-Sh

The expanded EK-80Sh designation can be interpreted approximately as follows:

• 95 indicates approximately 0.95% carbon.
• Kh6 / Х6 indicates approximately 6% chromium.
• M3 / М3 indicates approximately 3% molybdenum.
• F3 / Ф3 indicates approximately 3% vanadium.
• S / С identifies silicon.
• T / Т identifies titanium.
• Sh / Ш identifies electroslag-remelted material.

This alloying system produces a high volume of hard carbides and supports elevated wear resistance, compressive strength and heat-treatment response.

9KhS Steel Grade Overview

9KhS tool steel is a Russian chromium-silicon alloy tool steel covered by GOST 5950-2000. It is used for tooling that requires high hardness, wear resistance, cutting-edge stability and better through-hardening behaviour than plain carbon tool steels.

The high silicon content distinguishes 9KhS from many conventional low-alloy cold-work grades. Silicon supports strength and elastic behaviour, while chromium increases hardenability and contributes to carbide formation.

In Russian technical terminology, the grade may be described as:

• сталь 9ХС
• марка стали 9ХС
• инструментальная сталь 9ХС
• легированная сталь 9ХС
• 9ХС ГОСТ 5950-2000

9KhS Steel Classification and Standard

9KhS Chemical Composition

9KhS Chemical Composition Table

The relatively high silicon content is a defining feature of the 9KhS chemical composition. Carbon and chromium support hardness and wear resistance, while manganese assists hardenability and deoxidation.

9KhS Mechanical Properties and Hardness

Mechanical properties of tool steels vary substantially with heat treatment. Tensile strength and yield strength should not be treated as fixed grade values without identifying the test condition, section size and thermal cycle.

For 9KhS, hardness is normally the more relevant engineering property.

9KhS Hardness after Tempering

The following values are indicative for material hardened from approximately 840–860°C and cooled in oil:

Final hardness must be verified directly on the finished or representative heat-treated component.

9KhS Heat Treatment Process

Annealing Temperature

A typical isothermal annealing route for 9KhS includes:

1. Heat gradually to approximately 790–810°C.
2. Hold sufficiently for temperature equalisation.
3. Cool to an isothermal region near 700–720°C.
4. Hold until transformation is complete.
5. Cool slowly in the furnace.

The objective is to produce a machinable spheroidised-carbide structure and reduce internal stresses before final machining.

Preheating Temperature

A preheating stage near 650–700°C is commonly used before austenitising, especially for larger sections or complex tools. Controlled preheating reduces thermal gradients and lowers the probability of distortion or cracking.

Hardening and Austenitising Temperature

A commonly applied 9KhS hardening temperature is approximately:

• 840–860°C for conventional hardening
• Oil quenching for controlled cooling
• Air cooling after tempering

The exact austenitising range depends on component geometry, furnace accuracy, prior microstructure and required hardness.

Quenching Medium

Oil is commonly selected because it provides sufficient cooling while reducing the cracking risk associated with aggressive water quenching.

Thin, simple or specially controlled components may use alternative media, but any change in quench severity must be validated through hardness, distortion and microstructure testing.

Tempering Temperature

For cutting tools requiring maximum hardness, a low temper near 170–200°C is commonly applied.

Higher tempering temperatures reduce hardness while improving toughness and relieving internal stress. The tempering range should therefore be selected according to the actual load mode rather than hardness alone.

Recommended 9KhS Heat Treatment Cycle

9KhS Microstructure and Performance

Microstructure

In the annealed condition, 9KhS generally contains spheroidised carbides distributed within a ferritic matrix. After hardening, the structure consists mainly of martensite, retained austenite and alloy carbides.

Tempering converts the as-quenched structure into tempered martensite while reducing internal stress.

Hardenability

9KhS has substantially better hardenability than U8A because chromium, silicon and manganese delay transformation during cooling. This permits more uniform hardening through medium-sized sections.

Wear Resistance

9KhS wear resistance is high after correct hardening and low-temperature tempering. The carbon and chromium content supports hard-carbide formation, while the hardened matrix resists indentation and abrasive wear.

Toughness

The grade provides moderate toughness for a high-hardness tool steel. Toughness decreases when hardness is maximised or when carbide distribution, grinding practice or heat treatment is poorly controlled.

Compressive Strength

The hardened structure provides high resistance to compressive loading, making the grade appropriate for dies, punches and tooling exposed to concentrated surface pressure.

Dimensional Stability

9KhS normally offers better dimensional stability than plain carbon tool steel, although complex tools still require balanced machining allowances, uniform heating and controlled quenching.

Machinability

9KhS machinability is acceptable in the annealed condition. Machining becomes difficult after hardening, and final dimensional correction normally requires grinding, electrical discharge machining or another hardened-material process.

Weldability

9KhS weldability is poor. Its high carbon and alloy content create a strong risk of hard heat-affected zones, cracking and residual stress.

Welding should normally be restricted to controlled repair procedures using:

• Preheating
• Low-hydrogen consumables
• Controlled interpass temperature
• Immediate post-weld stress relief or heat treatment

Corrosion Resistance

9KhS is not stainless steel. Chromium is present primarily to improve hardenability and wear resistance, not to provide atmospheric or chemical corrosion resistance. Protective oil, coating or controlled storage is required where corrosion is a concern.

9KhS Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• High working hardness
• High abrasive-wear resistance
• Better hardenability than carbon tool steel
• Good cutting-edge stability
• Good compressive strength
• Suitable for medium-sized precision tools
• Useful balance of hardness and functional toughness
• Strong response to controlled hardening and tempering

Limitations

• Poor weldability
• Limited corrosion resistance
• Risk of decarburisation during uncontrolled furnace heating
• Sensitive to overheating and excessive retained austenite
• Lower toughness than medium-carbon engineering steels
• Requires controlled grinding to prevent surface cracking
• Not intended for prolonged red-hot cutting conditions

9KhS Applications and Uses

9KhS steel applications include tooling that works under abrasive wear, contact loading and moderate impact without continuous high-temperature exposure.

Typical applications include:

• Drills
• Reamers
• Taps
• Threading dies
• Milling cutters
• Broaching elements
• Machine stamps
• Cold-work punches
• Marking tools
• Gauges
• Measuring components
• Collets
• Wear-resistant machine components
• Components exposed to bending and contact fatigue
• Tooling requiring elevated elastic properties

The grade is particularly relevant when a tool requires better through-hardening and dimensional control than a plain carbon tool steel can provide.

Common 9KhS Material Forms

9KhS may be processed in forms such as:

• Round bar
• Forged round bar
• Flat bar
• Rectangular bar
• Plate
• Sheet
• Strip
• Forged blanks
• Machined tool blanks

Forms, tolerances and surface conditions must be matched to the governing dimensional and material standard.

9KhS Equivalent Grades

Equivalent-grade tables are comparative, not automatic substitution approvals. Differences in composition limits, cleanliness, carbide distribution, hardenability and product standard must be checked before replacing one grade with another.

U8A Steel Grade Overview

U8A steel is a Russian high-quality carbon tool steel covered by GOST 1435-99. It contains approximately 0.8% carbon and is designed to achieve high hardness after quenching.

Because U8A contains no major alloying addition for deep hardening, its hardenability is limited. It performs best in relatively thin sections and in tools that operate without substantial heating of the cutting edge.

In Russian technical terminology, it may be described as:

• сталь У8А
• марка стали У8А
• инструментальная сталь У8А
• углеродистая сталь У8А
• высококачественная сталь У8А
• У8А ГОСТ 1435-99

U8A Classification and Standard

U8A Chemical Composition

U8A Chemical Composition under GOST 1435-99

The reduced phosphorus and sulphur limits associated with the A suffix improve quality and reduce the risk of brittleness compared with less tightly controlled carbon-tool-steel grades.

International Composition Comparison for U8A

The following table compares U8A with commonly referenced carbon tool steels. These grades are similar rather than universally identical.

U8A Mechanical Properties and Hardness

Hardness is the principal functional property for U8A tools. Tensile values depend on product form, cold work and heat-treatment condition.

Physical Properties

U8A Heat Treatment Process

Forging Temperature

A typical forging range is approximately 850–1050°C.

Overheating must be avoided because excessive grain growth can reduce toughness and increase the probability of cracking during hardening.

Soft Annealing Temperature

Softening or spheroidising annealing is normally performed at approximately 680–710°C, followed by slow furnace cooling.

The objective is to obtain a spheroidised-carbide structure that improves machinability and supports a more uniform hardening response.

Stress-Relief Temperature

Stress relief may be performed at approximately 600–700°C after heavy machining and before final hardening.

The component should then be cooled slowly to minimise the reintroduction of thermal stress.

Preheating Temperature

A preheating stage around 650–700°C can reduce thermal shock before the component reaches the final hardening temperature.

U8A Hardening Temperature

The recommended U8A hardening temperature is commonly approximately:

• 770–790°C
• Water or controlled brine quenching for conventional water-hardening response
• Oil may be considered for suitable thin or simple parts where reduced quench severity is required, but hardness depth must be verified

Because U8A has limited hardenability, cooling rate and section thickness strongly affect the final structure.

U8A Tempering Temperature

A typical U8A tempering range is approximately 180–300°C.

• Lower tempering temperatures preserve maximum hardness.
• Higher tempering temperatures reduce hardness and residual stress while improving functional toughness.
• Multiple tempering cycles may be considered for precision components.

Recommended U8A Heat Treatment Cycle

U8A Microstructure and Performance

Microstructure

In the annealed condition, U8A normally contains ferrite and spheroidised cementite. After quenching, the structure contains high-carbon martensite, retained austenite and undissolved carbides.

After tempering, the structure becomes tempered martensite with a controlled carbide distribution.

Hardenability

U8A has low hardenability compared with 9KhS and EK-80Sh. The core of a thick section may not reach the same hardness as the surface.

This characteristic makes U8A better suited to:

• Thin tools
• Small cross-sections
• Shallow hardening requirements
• Components where a hard surface and tougher core are acceptable

Wear Resistance

U8A provides good wear resistance at high hardness, particularly in low-speed cutting and hand-tool applications. Its wear resistance is lower than that of heavily alloyed carbide-forming grades under severe abrasive conditions.

Toughness

Fully hardened U8A can be brittle. Sharp changes in section, deep machining marks, excessive quench severity and inadequate tempering can initiate cracking.

Compressive Strength

High hardness provides good compressive resistance for small tools, cutting edges and contact surfaces. The grade is less appropriate for heavy impact or large complex tooling.

Dimensional Stability

Dimensional stability is lower than that of more highly alloyed oil- or air-hardening tool steels. Water quenching creates steep thermal gradients and a higher distortion risk.

Machinability

Machinability is good after correct spheroidising annealing. In the hardened condition, conventional machining becomes difficult and grinding is normally required.

Weldability

U8A is difficult to weld because of its high carbon content. Rapid cooling can produce a brittle martensitic heat-affected zone.

Welding should be considered only for controlled repair procedures. Preheating, low-hydrogen practice and post-weld heat treatment are normally required.

Corrosion Resistance

U8A is not corrosion resistant. Surfaces should be protected from moisture through suitable oiling, coating or controlled storage.

U8A Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• High achievable hardness
• Sharp and stable cutting edge
• Straightforward alloy system
• Good machinability after annealing
• Suitable for small hand tools and woodworking tools
• Good response to conventional hardening
• Low alloy-carbide volume permits fine cutting edges

Limitations

• Limited hardening depth
• High water-quench distortion risk
• Lower resistance to softening at elevated temperature
• Lower wear resistance than heavily alloyed tool steels
• Poor weldability
• Low corrosion resistance
• Reduced suitability for large or complex tools
• Risk of brittle failure if tempering is inadequate

U8A Applications and Uses

U8A steel applications include tools that operate without substantial heating of the working edge.

Common applications include:

• Chisels
• Woodworking cutters
• Planer blades
• Axes
• Hand saw components
• Circular saw components
• Centre punches
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Side cutters
• Small milling cutters
• Countersinks
• Cold-forming hand tools
• Marking tools
• Small knives and cutting tools
• Rolling and knurling tools

Is U8A Suitable for Knife Making?

U8A can be used for knives where a fine cutting edge, simple heat treatment and high hardness are required. Its limitations include low corrosion resistance, limited hardenability and reduced toughness in thick or heavily loaded sections.

Performance depends more on heat treatment, blade geometry and tempering than on grade designation alone.

Common U8A Material Forms

Typical forms include:

• Round bar
• Flat bar
• Forged bar
• Plate
• Sheet
• Strip
• Coil
• Wire
• Tool blanks

U8A Equivalent Grades

No equivalent should be treated as automatically identical. Composition limits, sulphur and phosphorus levels, hardenability, product condition and heat-treatment response must be evaluated.

EK-80Sh Steel Grade Overview

EK-80Sh is a high-strength, heat-resistant alloy tool steel associated with the expanded designation 95Х6М3Ф3СТ-Ш.

The grade contains substantial chromium, molybdenum and vanadium additions. These elements create a complex carbide system that supports wear resistance, compressive strength and resistance to softening.

The -Sh or -Ш suffix identifies electroslag-remelted material. Electroslag remelting is used to improve steel cleanliness, reduce non-metallic inclusions and produce a more uniform solidification structure.

Russian technical terminology includes:

• сталь ЭК80
• сталь ЭК80-Ш
• сталь ЭК-80Ш
• марка стали ЭК80-Ш
• инструментальная сталь ЭК80-Ш
• теплоустойчивая сталь ЭК80
• высокопрочная сталь ЭК80
• сталь 95Х6М3Ф3СТ-Ш
• ЭК80-Ш ТУ 14-1-5079-91

EK-80Sh Classification and Standard

EK-80Sh Chemical Composition

95Kh6M3F3ST-Sh Chemical Composition Table

The exact acceptance range must be taken from the applicable revision of the governing technical document and the material’s verified chemical analysis.

Function of Alloying Elements in EK-80Sh

EK-80Sh Mechanical Properties and Hardness

A single universal mechanical-property value should not be assigned to EK-80Sh without defining:

• Product form
• Section thickness
• Initial annealed structure
• Austenitising temperature
• Quench medium
• Sub-zero treatment
• Number of tempering cycles
• Tempering temperature
• Final carbide and retained-austenite condition

Indicative engineering characteristics include:

EK-80Sh Heat Treatment

EK-80Sh heat treatment is more complex than the treatment of U8A or 9KhS. A generic cycle should not be applied directly to a finished tool without metallurgical qualification.

Annealing

Soft annealing should produce a controlled carbide distribution and a machinable matrix. The cycle must prevent carbide-network formation and excessive grain growth.

A controlled furnace-cooling schedule is essential because the alloy contains substantial chromium, molybdenum and vanadium.

Preheating

Staged preheating is recommended for complex or large tools. A typical process may include:

• Initial preheat near 600–700°C
• Secondary preheat near 850–900°C
• Controlled transfer to final austenitising temperature

Staged heating reduces thermal stress and improves temperature uniformity.

Hardening and Austenitising

An engineering starting range near 1050–1070°C is frequently considered for the primary hardening response of this alloy family.

The exact temperature must be selected according to:

• Required carbide dissolution
• Desired retained-austenite level
• Grain-size control
• Component section
• Target hardness
• Distortion tolerance

Excessive austenitising can increase retained austenite, promote grain growth and reduce dimensional stability.

Quenching Medium

Depending on geometry and furnace technology, controlled quenching may use:

• High-pressure inert gas
• Oil
• Salt bath
• Another validated controlled-cooling system

Aggressive water quenching is generally unsuitable for finished complex tooling made from a high-alloy grade of this type.

Sub-Zero Treatment

Sub-zero or cryogenic treatment may be considered to transform retained austenite and improve dimensional stability.

It should be integrated into the complete heat-treatment cycle rather than used as an isolated operation. Tempering must follow promptly to reduce stress in the newly transformed martensite.

Tempering

EK-80Sh may require double or multiple tempering cycles. The selected temperature depends on whether the objective is:

• Maximum hardness
• Secondary hardening
• Improved toughness
• Stress reduction
• Dimensional stability
• Resistance to softening during service

The complete cycle should be developed through test coupons and verified hardness and microstructure results.

Indicative EK-80Sh Heat Treatment Route

These values are engineering guidance rather than a universal production specification.

EK-80Sh Microstructure and Carbide System

Microstructure

After controlled hardening, EK-80Sh normally develops a structure containing:

• Martensite
• Retained austenite
• Chromium-rich carbides
• Molybdenum-rich carbides
• Vanadium-rich carbides
• Fine titanium-containing precipitates

The amount and distribution of each phase depend on the austenitising and tempering cycle.

Austenitic Grain Control

Fine austenitic grain size is important for toughness and consistency. For electroslag-remelted bar, grain-size and carbide-segregation limits may vary according to section diameter and the governing technical document.

Carbide Heterogeneity

Carbide heterogeneity becomes increasingly important as section size increases. Excessive carbide banding or segregation can reduce toughness, impair machinability and create uneven wear behaviour.

EK-80Sh Performance Characteristics

Hardenability

EK-80Sh has high hardenability because of its chromium, molybdenum and vanadium content. Controlled cooling can produce a hardened structure in sections that would not through-harden in U8A.

Wear Resistance

Its high carbide volume gives EK-80Sh very high abrasive and adhesive wear resistance. Vanadium-rich carbides are particularly important for resistance to severe sliding and cutting wear.

Toughness

Toughness depends strongly on carbide size, cleanliness, retained-austenite level and final hardness. Electroslag remelting improves cleanliness but does not eliminate the need for correct forging and heat treatment.

Compressive Strength

EK-80Sh is suitable for applications involving very high local pressure, such as high-load punches and forming components.

Heat Resistance

Molybdenum, chromium and vanadium improve resistance to tempering-related softening compared with U8A and 9KhS. The grade can therefore retain useful hardness under more demanding thermal conditions.

Dimensional Stability

Dimensional stability can be good when the complete process includes uniform preheating, controlled austenitising, an appropriate quench, retained-austenite control and multiple tempering.

Machinability

Machinability is moderate to difficult even in the annealed state because of the alloy-carbide content. After hardening, grinding or electrical discharge machining is normally required.

Weldability

EK-80Sh weldability is very poor. High carbon content, strong hardenability and alloy-carbide formation create a severe cracking risk.

Any repair procedure requires specialist control of:

• Preheating
• Filler-metal selection
• Interpass temperature
• Cooling rate
• Post-weld heat treatment
• Final hardness and crack inspection

Corrosion Resistance

Despite its chromium content, EK-80Sh is not a stainless steel. The chromium is strongly involved in carbide formation and does not provide the corrosion behaviour of stainless grades.

Benefits of Electroslag Remelting

The Sh or Ш designation is important because electroslag remelting can provide:

• Reduced non-metallic inclusion content
• Improved steel cleanliness
• More uniform chemical distribution
• Improved transverse properties
• Better fatigue consistency
• More controlled solidification
• Reduced risk of large harmful inclusions
• Improved reliability in highly stressed tooling

Electroslag remelting does not make EK80 and EK80-Sh completely identical. The remelted version may show improved cleanliness and structural consistency even when the nominal chemistry is similar.

EK-80Sh Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Very high wear resistance
• High compressive strength
• High hardenability
• Better resistance to temper softening
• Complex, stable carbide system
• Improved cleanliness in the electroslag-remelted condition
• Suitable for high-load tooling
• Potential for high hardness with useful toughness
• Good performance in severe cutting and forming environments

Limitations

• Complex heat-treatment requirements
• Difficult machinability
• Very poor weldability
• Limited corrosion resistance
• Sensitive to carbide segregation
• Higher retained-austenite risk
• Requires careful grinding practice
• Heat-treatment parameters must be qualified for the component
• Not suitable for uncontrolled workshop hardening

EK-80Sh Applications and Uses

EK-80Sh steel applications include highly loaded tools requiring wear resistance, compressive strength and improved resistance to thermal softening.

Typical applications include:

• Heavy-duty cold-heading punches
• Cold-forming tools
• High-load punches
• Cutting tools
• Shear components
• Wear-resistant tooling
• Tooling used as an alternative to selected high-speed-steel applications
• Dies exposed to concentrated pressure
• Glass-cutting or glass-processing knives
• High-load industrial blades
• Heat-resistant wear components
• Special forming inserts
• Precision tooling requiring clean ESR material

Common EK-80Sh Material Forms

Typical processed forms include:

• Round bar
• Forged round bar
• Flat bar
• Forged flat bar
• Plate
• Tooling blanks
• Forged blocks
• Machined inserts
• Special-profile components

EK-80Sh Equivalent Grades

EK-80Sh does not have a universally accepted exact AISI, DIN or EN equivalent.

Substitution must be based on chemical composition, carbide type, working hardness, fracture resistance, heat-treatment capability and service conditions.

Composition Comparison

Functional Comparison

Difference between 9KhS and U8A Steel

9KhS and U8A are both high-carbon tool steels, but 9KhS contains significant chromium and silicon.

Compared with U8A, 9KhS generally provides:

• Greater hardenability
• More uniform hardness in thicker sections
• Higher wear resistance
• Oil-quench capability
• Better dimensional control
• Greater resistance to tempering-related softening

U8A provides:

• A simpler composition
• A fine cutting-edge structure
• Good performance in small tools
• Easier soft-state machining
• Strong performance where the edge remains relatively cool

Difference between EK80 and EK80-Sh

EK80 and EK80-Sh may share the same nominal grade chemistry, but the -Sh material is electroslag remelted.

The main intended differences are:

• Improved cleanliness
• Reduced inclusion content
• More uniform structure
• Improved consistency
• Better suitability for highly stressed tooling

The suffix describes the metallurgical production route, not a completely different base alloy.

Chemical Analysis Testing

Chemical analysis can be performed using optical-emission spectroscopy or another validated method. Testing should confirm the main alloying elements and restricted residual elements against the governing standard.

Hardness Testing

Depending on condition, hardness may be measured using:

• Brinell hardness in the annealed state
• Rockwell C hardness after hardening
• Vickers hardness for small areas or microstructural investigation
• Hardness traverses for depth and uniformity assessment

Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic examination can identify internal discontinuities in bars, forged sections and larger tooling blanks. Acceptance criteria must match the applicable inspection standard and intended service severity.

Dimensional Inspection

Dimensional verification may include:

• Diameter
• Thickness
• Width
• Straightness
• Flatness
• Length
• Surface decarburisation allowance
• Machining allowance
• Geometric tolerance

Microstructure Testing

Microstructural examination can evaluate:

• Grain size
• Carbide distribution
• Carbide segregation
• Spheroidisation
• Retained austenite
• Decarburisation
• Overheating
• Quench cracking
• Tempered-martensite condition

Material Traceability

Technical traceability should connect the material designation, heat number, chemical analysis, processing condition and inspection results.

For specialised grades such as EK-80Sh, it is particularly important that the -Sh metallurgical route is identified correctly rather than inferred from the base grade alone.