SK5 Steel VS Manganese Steel
SK5 steel and manganese steel are two different types of steel, both commonly used for knives and tools.SK5 is a carbon tool steel, standardized to JIS G4401.Manganese steel, also known as manganese-alloyed steel, is a high-strength steel. There are differences between SK5 and manganese steels in terms of their chemical compositions, properties and applications. How to choose SK5 and manganese steel based on different applications? In this article, we will discuss the difference between SK5 steel and manganese steel.
Chemical Components
SK5 steel is a high carbon tool steel with a carbon content between 0.8-0.9%, manganese between 0.1-0.5%, and small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. Manganese steel is a high-strength steel with carbon content between 0.6-1.2%, manganese between 0.9-1.2% and small amounts of chromium, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, tungsten and other elements.
Mechanical properties
Mechanical properties of SK5
- Tensile strength is usually above 1200 MPa.
- Yield strength is above 800MPa.
- Hardness ≤187HB in annealed condition and up to ≥62HRC after quenching.
Mechanical properties of manganese steel
- Tensile strength usually above 560MPa.
- Yield strength is above 335MPa.
- Hardness of manganese steel without heat treatment ≤ 229HB, quenched hardness range is 38-60HRC.
Performances
SK5 is a specific type of carbon tool steel manufactured according to JIS G4401. In terms of performance, SK5 steel exhibits high hardness and wear resistance after quenching and tempering, and its quenched hardness reaches ≥62 HRC, but it has low hot hardness, poor hardenability, is easy to deform, and has low plasticity and strength.When comparing the sharpness of SK5 and manganese steel, SK5 carbon tool steel is sharper.
Manganese steel, on the other hand, has excellent impact resistance and abrasion resistance, can withstand a lot of wear and friction, and long-term use is not easy to deform, wear, and tear. At the same time, it has better toughness, can absorb shock and vibration, and is not easy to break. However, there are problems of overheating sensitivity and tempering brittleness, as well as easy oxidation.
Application
SK5 steel is often used in the production of high hardness and wear-resistant mold parts due to sliding friction, such as guide pins, bushings, ejector pins, etc. It is also used in the processing of timber edge tools, cold heading molds, scrapers, files, and so on. In the manufacturing industry SK5 is widely used in the production of tools such as blades and cutters, saw blades and pliers. In woodworking SK5 is used to make woodworking tools such as milling cutters, countersunk drills, axes, chisels, etc. These tools need to be made of a material with high hardness and good abrasion resistance in order to cope with the processing of wood.
The main application of manganese steel are mining machinery, heavy trucks, construction machinery, and building infrastructure.Manganese steel is widely used in parts manufacturing that need to withstand impact, extrusion, material abrasion, and other harsh working conditions, such as engines under the shield, mining machinery, and construction machinery.
Conclusion
Overall, SK5 is harder and manganese steel is tougher. SK5 steel is suitable for molds and tools that require wear resistance, while manganese steel is suitable for work that is subjected to impact and abrasion. SK5 and manganese steel have different advantages. The choice of material depends on the actual needs and budget, there is no absolute advantage or disadvantage.The cost of SK5 is usually higher than manganese steel.It is also a reason why user like to replace SK5 with manganese steel.But it may not be the most efficient material.Only with a clear understanding of the properties of different steels can the advantages of steel be maximized under certain conditions.
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