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Uddeholm's DievarÒ Steel
special considerations
steel type identification form

As noted in the May 2003 issue of Die Casting Engineer magazine, some steels, such as these, have high percentages of chromium, nickel, titanium and other alloys and tend to nitride more quickly but take longer developing the compound layer.  DievarÒ has about the same percentage of Chromium as does H-13 (Cr 5%), however, because of the chromium matrix, the nitriding time is accelerated for a given temperature and time.  Uddeholm does not recommend a compound layer with a depth of more than 0.0002 - 0.0003 inches for most die casting applications which works out well with a shorter time for diffusion.  One can see the importance of knowing the steel type and why we require completion of the to accompany any tooling for TherMaLLifeÒ.

Detailed Cross Section Micro photos

Shortened Time

Longer time - (for H-13)

Tests at Case Western and The Colorado School of Mines show that cracking just below the diffusion zone develops if the zone or compound layer is too deep.  Ideally a thin compound layer is best for solder protection along with a diffusion zone for thermal protection.

NEW or USED TOOLING - First Application

• Uddeholm DievarÒ evaluation has shown that:
  a)  At 1075°F - for approximately 1 hour a diffusion depth of 0.002" - 0.003" inches is obtained.
  b)  Because of this temperature's proximity to final temper, an adjusted lower temperature is used in the TherMaLLifeÒ recipe with extended time to obtain the same results.

After many subsequent applications, the diffusion zone and white layer may become to thick.  This would evidence itself by chipping of the compound layer.  It may be necessary at this point to remove or dissolve the surface white layer 

There are three ways (in order of preference) to approach situations if repeat processing with TherMaLLifeÒ is desired.  In each instance, it is important to remove the compound layer or prevent an additional layer from forming.

1. Removal of the compound layer by using a T-10 or T-00 MetaLL ifeÒ  process.  This sets up a compressive stress zone for fatigue protection and allows for better diffusion during processing.  It also prevents the compound layer from building up too much..  The special DievarÒ recipe then follows.

2. A long extended low temperature stress temper will, more or less, dissolve the compound layer into the diffusion zone.  This may take anywhere from 8-24 hours to accomplish.  The special DievarÒ recipe then follows.  This method is not normally chosen since the turn around time becomes too long.

3. Soaking pretreatment in a solution of sodium cyanide for a minimum of eight hours.  We do not offer this capability.  Followed by a cleaning bead blast then the special DievarÒ recipe follows. 

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