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Steel Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC

Hardness band

also S390

HT 64-66HRC = hardened & triple tempered

Lower austenitising temperature; choose when edge chipping or interrupted cuts dominate over pure wear.

High cost $$$$

Values for the HT 64-66HRC condition

Other Böhler S390 tempers and conditions

Böhler S390 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Böhler S390.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hardened & triple tempered
The usual working hardness for hobs, milling cutters, broaches and form tools in difficult materials.———67 HRC—
AnnealedDefault
≤ 340 HB (as-delivered bar/plate)
Standard mill delivery condition for bar, plate and blanks; machine to shape here, then harden.7001,0001031 HRC3.4 % IACS
Hardened & triple tempered
High austenitising temperature (~1180 °C) for maximum wear resistance and hot hardness; accept minimum toughness.2,0002,100069 HRC2.8 % IACS
HT 64-66HRCThis page
Hardened & triple tempered
Lower austenitising temperature; choose when edge chipping or interrupted cuts dominate over pure wear.2,1002,4000.565 HRC2.9 % IACS

What is Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC?

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC is Böhler S390 heat treated to HT 64-66HRC — lower austenitising temperature; choose when edge chipping or interrupted cuts dominate over pure wear. Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC has a yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 240 GPa (34.8 Msi). Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT 64-66HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 2,100 MPa (305 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
  • Stiff — 240 GPa (34.8 Msi), better than 100% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 95% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 19 MPa·√m (17.3 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Böhler S390 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F).

Density8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,260°C2,300 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,420°C2,588 °F

Mechanical17

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC has a yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 240 GPa (34.8 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus240 GPa34.8 Msi
Shear Modulus94 GPa13.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,400 MPa348 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)2,100 MPa305 ksi
Elongation at Break0.5%
Reduction in Area0%
Compressive Strength3,200 MPa464 ksi
Shear Strength1,450 MPa210 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)800 MPa116 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)19 MPa·√m17.3 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)4 J3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell300 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B104 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C65 HRC
Hardness, Vickers830 HV

Thermal5

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)550°C1,022 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Electrical3

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.

Corrosion ResistancePoor15/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts readily in humid air and water-based coolants; requires oiling, phosphating or PVD/steam-oxide coating. Resists dry hydrocarbons and cutting oils; attacked by acids and chlorides.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (1/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)5%
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended1/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC

Is Böhler S390 easy to machine?

Machine only in the soft-annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; after hardening the 4.8 % V carbides make CBN/diamond grinding the only practical route.

Can Böhler S390 be welded?

Not intended for structural welding; repair only by TIG/laser with matching PM-HSS filler, 450–500 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.

Can Böhler S390 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and soft anneal at 850–900 °C; no cold forming.

What surface finishes work on Böhler S390?

Vacuum harden 1150–1180 °C, triple temper 540–560 °C, then grind, lap and finish with TiAlN/AlCrN PVD, steam oxide or nitriding (thin case only).

Böhler S390 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C1.55 – 1.71.64
Si0.3 – 0.80.6
Mn0.2 – 0.50.3
Cr4.6 – 54.8
Mo1.8 – 2.22
W10 – 1110.5
V4.6 – 54.8
Cocobalt raises hot hardness and secondary hardening response7.5 – 8.58
Febalance—

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC — frequently asked

What is Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC used for?

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC is typically used for high-performance drills, milling cutters and broaches. In short: high hot hardness PM-HSS; hardenable to 68–70 HRC; 4.8 % V carbide wear resistance.

What is the yield strength of Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC?

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC has a typical yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,400 MPa (348 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the soft-annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; after hardening the 4.8 % V carbides make CBN/diamond grinding the only practical route.

Can Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not intended for structural welding; repair only by TIG/laser with matching PM-HSS filler, 450–500 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.

What surface finishes work on Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC?

Vacuum harden 1150–1180 °C, triple temper 540–560 °C, then grind, lap and finish with TiAlN/AlCrN PVD, steam oxide or nitriding (thin case only).

Can Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and soft anneal at 850–900 °C; no cold forming.

What is the maximum service temperature of Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC?

Böhler S390 HT 64-66HRC is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. BÖHLER S390 MICROCLEAN PM high speed steel data sheet — voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl (2022)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (High-Speed Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  3. ISO 4957 — Tool steels — ISO (2018)
  4. ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.