Latrobe LSSâ„¢ Vertex Tool Steel

TLS Vertex tool steel is a versatile, high-chromium, air-hardening tool steel that is characterized by a relatively high attainable hardness and numerous, chromium-rich alloy carbides in the microstructure. These carbides provide good resistance to wear from sliding contact with other metals and abrasive materials. The primary alloy carbides in Vertex are smaller than the large chromium-rich alloy carbides which are characteristic of D2 tool steel. These smaller carbides result in better impact toughness and superior fatigue properties compared to D2. The molybdenum addition in Vertex enhances the hardness of the alloy carbides, and more significantly, provides superior secondary hardening response compared to D2. Therefore, unlike D2, Vertex can be tempered at higher tempering temperatures yet still attain a hardness in excess of 60 Rockwell C. Because of the higher secondary hardness, Vertex exhibits superior wear resistance compared to D2 tempered at the higher tempering temperatures, as well as the superTimken sold Latrobe in December 2006. They are now Latrobe Specialty Steels Co.