Crucible Steel Maxel® 2000 Stainless Steel

Maxel 2000 is a free-machining stainless holder block steel which is based on the nominal analysis of Type 414L rather than Type 420. It is supplied pre-hardened to about HRC 37. Due to its unique chemistry, Maxel 2000 exhibits a very uniform hardness, free from hard spots and free from carbide segregation. Because Maxel 2000 has a low carbon content and contains nickel, it offers better corrosion resistance than typical Type 420F stainless holder block, and also better than Type 420 stainless mold steels. Although Maxel 2000 is resulfurized for easier machining, its low carbon content makes it extremely tough so it resists chipping and cracking much better than Type 420F holder block. Its low carbon content also reduces the risk of welding cracks because there is no formation of highhardness untempered martensite which commonly forms in weldments of the higher carbon grades such as Type 420 which has 0.30 %C. Due to its lower overall alloy content, Maxel 2000 also has higher thermal conductivity than Type 420F stainless holder block. This increases the effectiveness of cooling water and allows for shorter cycle times and improved productivity.Information provided by Crucible Specialty Metals.