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Neuer rostfreier Maraging-Stahl mit hoher Festigkeif für komplexe Federn

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Article · January 2001

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 This is the advantage of maraging steels in
 comparison to unstable austenitic and semi-austenitic
MARVAC 125 , steels forming the so-called deformation martensite
during cold work and with a resulting mechanical
a New High Strength Stainless anisotropy [1] . Moreover, the work-hardening effect is
Maraging Steel with Isotropic strong in comparison to maraging steels.

Shaping Capability Non-stainless maraging steels on the basis

Hartwin R. Weber
(VACUUMSCHMELZE; Hanau D)
I . INTRODUCTION
The production of complex shapes coupled with the
demand for maximum final strength (>2000MPa) is
called for by many design engineers in the fields of
components, springs or elements for control
technology, pneumatics and hydraulics in order to
meet the increasing trend to miniaturisation and
reducing the number of parts. To achieve this bending
in different directions has to be carried out, see Figure
1 and deep-drawn parts may not exhibit excessive
earing.
FeNiCoMo, such as 1.6358, are well known but these
already rust in a damp atmosphere. Stainless grades
with additions of Mo,Al,Ti, Cu and Nb have been not
very effective in age hardening.[3] Consequently, the
aim of this work was to develop a stainless maraging
steel with a strength >2000MPa.
As little as 0.2% Be as a precipitation hardening
element is enough to achieve a hardness of >600HV
in together with a Ni content of 8 wt.- %. [7] Other
determining factors for the composition, in particular
the Cr / Mo content were:
•
negligible ferrite content as this results in
anisotropy, [8 ]
• Ms (martensite) temperature >130°C to ensure
that the transition is reliably completed at room
Temperature (RT) and thus effective age
hardening , [7]

F • corrosion resistance comparable to standard

stainless austenitic steels.
F
In order to meet these requirements, the alloy
F composition was selected as follows (in wt.%) :
F
Fe-13Cr-8Ni-1Mo-0.2Be-0.2Ti.
This is melted at VACUUMSCHMELZE GmbH & Co.
Figure 1 Mulifunctional spring elements
KG using the VIM (vacuum induction melting) process
It follows that the use of naturally hard materials and produced under the trade name MARVAC® 125
whose strength is attained through the extent of cold as strip in the thickness range 1.0 - 0.1 mm. [4,5,6,7]
work is out of the question because a rolling texture
II. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
develops during this process which excludes isotropic
shaping. Therefore the annealed state is normally The typical values of MARVAC® 125 strip in the
used.[1] This also applies to many age-hardenable above thicknesses for the homogenized state
materials whose increase in hardness depends before/after aging are given in Table 1.
strongly on cold work. It is thus the goal to select a
different type of material, i.e., a material in which Table 1. Mechanical properties of MARVAC®
these disadvantages are not inherent. Parameter/State Soft After Aging (2h, 470°C)
Maraging steels, as the word maraging implies,
automatically undergo ”hardening” due to martensitic Tensile strength 1100MPa 2100MPa
transformation. This is generally connected with an Yield strength 800 MPa 1900 MPa
increase in hardness of about 100 HV units. Elongation 4% 3%
Apparently annealed material is quite isotropic in that Vickers hardness 330 HV 600 HV
state in comparison to cold worked materials as will Spring bend limit 570 MPa 1650 MPa
be shown later. On the base of the initial hardness of Fatigue strength under
approx. 300HV this martensite can be increased to reversed bending
7
HV> 600 through additional age-hardening stress (10 cycles,
elements.[2] Thus these materials show excellent 1% fracture probablility) ab.900MPa
shaping qualities prior to aging and subsequently Max. application
attain high strength. temperature > 450°C

published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France
Especially the increase in hardness of approx. 1000 account where applicable. This behaviour in
MPa during aging at 2h, 470°C is remarkable. The MARVAC® is excellent compared to that of other
effect at other aging temperatures is presented in materials with high final strength.
Figure 2.

700
14
470°C 17-7 / 1.4310**
650 12 parallel to rolling direction

Bending Radius / Strip Thickness

440°C
10
Vickers hardness (HV)

600
extrapolated
500°C
8
550 17-7Ph / 1.4568
X30-70Cr13
6 17-7 / 1.4310 * e.g.1.4007**
500
4 Ni 2Be

450 530°C
2 MARVAC 125
1.4301
400 0
0,01 0,1 1 10 100
800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400
Time (hour)
Tensile Strength (N/mm2)

Figure 2 Age-hardening curves (hardness vs. time) of
MARVAC® at different temperatures
This clearly reveals that at higher T there is a
decrease in both the age-hardening maximum and
the aging time. Typical for maraging steels is the low
work hardening of the soft state. Accordingly the
yield strength ratio is close to one. The resulting low
elongation values are due to a lack of uniform
elongation. However, this is not the same as
brittleness. The reduction of area measured on wire,
which is a better way of describing the ductility of low
work hardening materials, exhibits values >70% right
through to extreme degrees of cold work. As a rule,
the recommended state of delivery for strip is soft or
moderately cold worked.
In the age-hardened state the spring bend limit shows
typical values in relation to yield strength as known
from other high strength spring materials. The ratio
bending fatigue strength to tensile strength gives an
excellent high value of about 0,4 due to a low density
of surface defects and of inclusions in the bulk. The
Physical properties can be read in [4,5,6] .
* Ref.: Stainless Steels, edited by Edelstahl Vereinigung e.V.
Verlag:Stahleisen mbH Düsseldorf 1989
** Ref.: div. Manufacturer data
Figure 3 Minimum bending radii of other materials
compared to MARVAC®
Owing to its low elongation and high strength
MARVAC® is ideal for stamping in the soft state as
the straight cutting section is over 50%. However, the
stamping edges have to be reworked thoroughly in
view of high stress levels, in particular if they are
function governing surfaces, otherwise residual
scratches might act as fracture-prone notches. The
influence of quality of the edges on fatigue strength is
shown in Figure.4. Here the cumulative fracture
frequency of different edge states is compared. After
optimal reworking the mean value and the scattering
are significantly changing and the real material
characterising values appear. The most economic
solution is to deburr the parts by tumbling prior to
aging. At this stage the material can be worked more
easily due to the lower hardness.
100

III. TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 80 edges stamped

®
fracture probability

In this chapter the individual properties of MARVAC + grinded

60
for special processing steps will be described.
+ grinded
Stamping-Bending: The minimum bending radii of 40 + mech. deburred

MARVAC® are more or less independent of the angle + grinded

to the rolling direction at ½ or 1 x strip thickness in 20 + chem. deburred

the soft, resp. cold worked state and are thus highly + tumbled

isotropic. During bending in a tool under optimum 0

750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050 1100 1150 1200
production conditions even tighter bending was
max. bending stress
realised. Figure 3 shows the bending radii in relation
to strip thickness as a function of final strength for Figure 4 Fatigue strength distribution in reversed
MARVAC® and other materials. An increase in bending for different edge qualities (HV700).
strength due to annealing or aging was taken into

published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France

Stretch-forming / Deep-Drawing : When using
these processes, as with other ferritic and martensitic
materials, the poor uniform elongation must be taken
into account. Where possible deep-drawing should be
given preference over stretch-forming. This is
confirmed by the Erichsen cupping index IE which at
5.5 mm is roughly half the typical value of stable
austenitic materials. [1,9]
Deep-drawing can be performed well under optimum
clamping force. Approx. 2% earing on sheet
thicknesses <0.5mm indicates a highly isotropic
material. The limiting drawing ratio ßmax , i.e. max.
blank diameter / stamp diameter of the first step is
relatively low at 1.9 and similar to that of the low work
hardening ferritic Cr steels at 2.0 - 2.1 after[1,8]
However, as is the case with the latter, the total
drawing ratio ßtot using several steps without
intermediate annealing is appreciably higher than that
of austenitic CrNi steels. In Figure 5 a transfer press is
used as an example. Here three drawing operations
with MARVAC® can be completed in contrast to only
two with austenitic steels .
®
Figure 5 Deep-drawn parts of MARVAC produced in
multiple steps ; blank – Ø 60 / 155mm
It follows that the aspect ratio is greater by approx. a
factor of 2. In this case the low work hardening has a
positive effect. Should deep-drawing fail, then
spinning - a shaping process with a higher proportion
[1]
of hydrostatic pressure - is an alternative.
Joining : MARVAC® is suitable for hard and soft
soldering if the soldering temperatures are sensibly
chosen in relation to the homogenising and the aging
temperature
[5,6,7]
. Springs in matrix printers :They are one example of
As far as welding is concerned tungsten inert gas
(TIG), plasma, electron beam (EB)- and laser
welding are all suitable processes for MARVAC®
whether for joining to other metals like austenitic
materials, or to itself. An exhaust system has to be
®
used in accordance to the safety leaflet of MARVAC
published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France
[4]
. In case of welding with itself the mechanical
properties of the welding seam after aging are nearly
the same as in the bulk material [5,6,7], therefore the
seam can be fully utilised. In this case MARVAC® has
a clear advantage over many other age-hardenable
materials.
Corrosion Behaviour : It has been shown that
subsequent to aging MARVAC® is comparable to
standard stainless austenitic steels after
annealing[5,6,7]. However, the discoloration resulting
from aging and/or welding must be removed by
pickling or barrel polishing before testing as
recommended for annealing/aging in the individual
data sheet of steel producers or in the literature [10] in
the case of welding.
When considering applications in sanitary appliances,
the nickel release under artificial sweat in compliance
with DIN EN 1811 after aging is of interest. This also
depends on the condition of the surface. After pickling
it is 0.05µg/cm²/week, comparable to 1.4301 hard
annealed (0.04µg/cm²/ week), and is thus below the
limiting value of 0.5µg/cm²/week by an order of
magnitude. The release of Be under artificial sweat is
below the detection limit of 6 x 10-4 µg/cm²/week.
IV. TYPICAL OR POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR
MARVAC® 125
Multifunctional spring elements in watch industry,
precision mechanics and mechatronics: As
explained at the beginning one of the main
advantages of MARVAC® maraging strip is the
complex shaping capacity. So multifunctional spring
elements could be formed operating at a high final
strength level. They may not only be used in watch
industry (Figure.6) but also in other fields of precision
mechanics.
|| ab. 4mm
Figure 6 complex stamped bent parts of watches
mechatronics. The needles in the printer are moved
by the force of a single magnetic relay commonly/
frequently arranged in a circle. They need retracting
forces to bring them back into starting position. In
Figure.7 such a spring basket is shown. This was
formerly made of BeCu and degraded by distortion
after heat treatment and wear because of the
comparatively low hardness level of BeCu. Therefore
substitution by MARVAC brings about the advantages
of low controlled shrinkage of <10-4 and a high
hardness level.
Figure 7 Spring basket of a matrix printer (TALLY,
Elchingen ) Ø 26mm
Springs on a base frame: Sometimes the spring
element has to be connected with a stiff frame
construction which is able to withstand the forces
without additional deformation. This has to be
attained by bending in different directions. Using
stainless austenitic steel the hard spring has to be
connected with the softer frame by welding etc. Using
MARVAC® allows for production of the spring and
base frame in one part.
Technical diaphragms: Diaphragms are used in
fluidic, hydraulic, pneumatic and combined
mechanical systems to separate different circuits or to
move or pressurise the media. Applications can be
found in valves, for instance in automobile fuel
injection systems (Figure 8), or in pumps or as
shieldings in valves against pollution etc. Mostly there
is no interest in a high level of elastic limit , i.e. the
membranes do not need real spring properties but
low fatigue during reversible deflection. Generally the
fatigue limit is positively correlated to strength of a
material and its freedom of inclusions. Therefore
® Rotary blade systems: Blades are frequently
MARVAC has advantages because of the
extraordinary high fatigue test values of about 900 or
about.1500 MPa under reversed or non reversed
bending stress after heat treatment.
Figure 8 Separating diaphragms for automobile fuel
injection systems (BOSCH)
published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France
Diaphragms with operational characteristics:
They are used in measuring devices as pressure cells
or controls. For reliability or calibration reasons they
need to be optimised by a low mechanical hysteresis
and a high linearity i.e. a elastic limit compared to the
loading force and high mechanical stiffness, given by
the number, level and shape of the undulation
(Figure.9). Normally such membranes are produced
by drawing and stamping under high clamping
forces. In order to reduce the high tension it is
favourable to use a progressive combination tool
covering pre-cutting the blanks, embossing and final
cutting. The outer waves cause a drag and resulting
tension on the material. In order to avoid this and to
ease the feed the individual waves can be formed
step by step in a transfer press starting with the inner
wave, if its inner diameter devided by the blank
diameter is larger than 1/ ßmax . Otherwise one should
start drawing from outside the successive cups in
reversed direction Their depth should be higher than
geometrically needed in order to provide enough
material for the following inner waves. This method
will yield membranes of MARVAC® with minimum
hysteresis and maximum linearity. Additionally
hydroforming could be helpful.
Figure 8 Diaphragms of MARVAC® with different
number and shape of undulation; Ø 17,2mm ( BECK)
produced of martensitic stainless knife steel, they
need highest hardness for best cutting efficiency and
long service life. In the case of round blades and
cages sufficient capability to bending and deep
drawing is required for shaping operation. When using
martensitic or semiaustenitic steel this only can be
attained by a compromise of reduced hardness. So
MARVAC® is an excellent choice for this application.
Pressure tanks and tubes: The good welding
behaviour and the fact that the welding zone shows
bulk properties after heat treatment can be used for
pressure tanks of low weight and wall thickness.
As shown in Figure 10 spherical tanks can easily be
produced by joining two split shells by welding. Their
design is simple because of homogeneity of
mechanical properties over the welding seam. Tubes
of MARVAC® can easily be drawn after welding and
homogenising because of its small work hardening
rate. After aging they will attain a high final strength
and pressure resistance.
Figure 9 Tank of MARVAC® , welded by WELDING
LINE CONSULT, Alzenau
Temperature resistant springs: Springs being
exposed to high stresses at higher temperatures show
a phenomenon called stress relaxation; i.e. the
amount of stress stored in the spring is reduced
during application. The most important cause for such
a behaviour is the softening of material during
exposure to higher temperatures. By way of contrast
in FIGURE.11 MARVAC® being exposed to 400-
470°C shows a strong additional hardening effect up
to HV 800 - a good prerequisite for application up to
this temperature range . Therefore relaxation
experiments show good results up to 470°C at a
stress level of spring bend limit (FIGURE12) If the age
hardening temperature is shifted to higher
temperatures (i.e.530°C) the additional hardening and
risk of embrittlement during operation can be
minimised but at the expense of optimal relaxation
behaviour. Alternatively relaxation can be reduced by
designing for a lower stress level in relation to the
elastic limit. Therefore the substitution of most
stainless steels by MARVAC® should directly lead to
better spring life time.

Elastic Fasteners: Common fasteners consist of

900
standard carbon steel coated with anticorrosive
2h 470°C
layers. If they have a more complex form - bent or + 470°C
deep drawn - they need to be soft and might deform
800
during the loosening operation and cannot be used
once more. When using MARVAC® they have a high 2h 470°C
Hardness (HV)

+ 400°C
holding force and can be used several time because
of their high elasticity. An important example are 700
1/2h 530°C
+ 400°C / 470°C
clamps in headlights of cars (FIGURE 10) that join the
glass with the body.
2h 530°C
600 + 470°C

500
0,1 1 10 100 1000
Time (h)

®
Figure 11 Additional hardening of MARVAC during
relaxation experiments

100
2h 470°C; 1600MPa/350°C

2h 470°C; 1000MPa/400°C
Figure10 Elastic fasteners at car headlights
Disk Springs of higher thickness: The thickness of
95
hot rolled strip is not very well defined. So the use of
Residual Stress (%)

1/2h 530°C; 1600MPa/400°C

2h 470°C; 1600MPa/400°C, 470°C
materials with final thickness near the hot rolling
dimension <5mm such as (semi-) austenitic stainless
grades with their typical strong work hardening rate
leads to a strong scattering of elastic limit caused by 90 1/2 - 2h 530°C ;1600MPa/470°C

different amounts of cold work. This is also valid for

precipitation hardenable alloys which show a
remarkable dependence of hardness gain by cold
work after aging. Here the low work hardening of 85
MARVAC® and its high hardness gain independent of 0,1 1 10 100 1000
the amount of cold work are advantageous and lead Time (h)

to distinct reduction of hardness scattering at a high ®

strength level. Figure 12 Relaxation experiments of MARVAC

published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France
Complex engineering parts: In several cases the
applications need not be of spring type. If complex
shape has to be combined with good wear
resistance or low fatigue as in parts for hand weapons
e.g. push rods the use of MARVAC® may be
favourable
V. CONCLUSIONS
The development of MARVAC® has succeeded in
combining the maximum strength and isotropic
shaping capability of non-stainless maraging steels
with the anti-corrosive properties of austenitic CrNi
steels. In addition other properties become interesting
such as low fatigue, wear, work hardening, distortion
and relaxation. Available as strip in the thickness 1.0
- 0.1 mm it is suitable for complex shaped springs or
parts, high strength membranes and housings
exposed to maximum pressure . Other thickness
values and shapes can be produced on request.
VI. References
in Lacombe,P. ,Baroux,B., Beranger,G. (ed.):
STAINLESS STEELS, Les Editions de
Physique, Les Ulis,1993. pg 613-659
/9/ Giraud ,H.; Baroux,B.: Deep Drawing
Properties of Stainless Steels; in Lacombe,P.
,Baroux,B., Beranger,G. (ed.): STAINLESS
STEELS, Les Editions de Physique, Les
Ulis,1993. pg 697-731
/10/ Saggau,R; Pries,H.; Finke,M.: Schweißbedingte
Anlauffarben und ihr Einfluß auf die Korrosion
hochlegierter CrNi-Stähle; in Z. Metallkd. 92
(2001) ; pg 286-292
Author
Dr. Hartwin R. Weber, born in 1944, read metal
physics at the University of Göttingen and is currently
head of R&D for the ”physical” alloys and
magnetically semi-hard materials at VACUUM-
SCHMELZE GmbH & Co. KG.
In the case of the latter materials he is also engaged
in the field of maraging, semiaustenitic and unstable
austenitic alloys

/1/ Küppers, W.: Kaltverformung; in Edelstahl- Email: : Hartwin.Weber@vacuumschmelze.com

vereinigung e.V. together with VDEh (ed.):
Nichtrostende Stähle; Verlag Stahleisen mbH
,Düsseldorf ; 1989; pg 86-150
/2/ Vetter, K. ,Gundolf,E., von den Steinen,A.:
Höchstfeste Stähle; in VDEH (ed.):
Werkstoffkunde Stahl Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
Heidelberg, NewYork, Tokyo and Verlag
Stahleisen mbH ,Düsseldorf 1984 ; pg 212-223
/3/ Bourrat,J., Goux,C.: Precipitation Hardening
Stainless Steels; in Lacombe,P. ,Baroux,B.,
Beranger,G. (ed.): STAINLESS STEELS, Les
Editions de Physique, Les Ulis,1993; pp 661-
692

/4/ MARVAC  125, preliminary data sheet and

safety leaflet, ed. by Fa. Vacuumschmelze
GmbH + Co KG 63450 Hanau, Germany
/5/ Weber, H.R.: Ein neuer martensitaushärtender
Bandfederstahl für komplexe Geometrien; VDI-
Z (2001) 5 , pg 56-58
/6/ Weber, H.R.: A New High Strenght Stainless
Maraging Spring Steel with Isotropic Shaping
Capability in Adv. Eng. Mater. (2001) 3 .pg 698-
701
/7/ Weber H.R.: Neuer rostfreier MARAGING-Stahl
mit hoher Festigkeit für komplexe Federn aus
Band; in „Marktgerechte Produkte mit neuen
Werkstoffen“, VDI-Bericht 1595 (2001)
/8/ Desetret,A.;Charles,J.: Duplex Stainless Steels;

published at European Stainless Steel Congress, June 10 – 13, 2002, Paris - France

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