Machining DataSheet for

General Information:
Material GroupP - Steel
Sub-GroupTool Steel
Tensile Strength720-775 [N/mm^2]
Machinability33%

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Machining Steel A6

Steel A6 is a Tool Steel (High-alloy steel) that has on top of the 0.7% of carbon an additional 4.8% of manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. (See details in the below table). Steel A6 has a machinability rating of 33%.

Steel A6 belongs to the "A series" of tool steels. They are classified as air-hardening, cold-work steel and contain high Carbon content (around 1%). Tool Steels in this series (A2-A10) have a machinability rating of 30-40%. The relatively high carbon content yields higher hardness and strength, resulting in low machinability

You can find here a list of machinability Ratings for different Tool Steels.

Summery:

  • For turning operations on Steel A6, lower cutting speed is recomended due to the low machinability. Therefore, in most cases it is recomended to use a grade with high hardness and PVD coating . For milling, opt for a grade with relativly hard substrate.
  • For detailed carbide grades recommendations, check the Below Chart, or use the Grades Wizrad.
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 410 - 540 [SFM] / 125 - 165 [m/min].
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short overhang is 250 - 340 [SFM] / 75 - 105 [m/min]
  • For detailed cutting speed recomendations, check the Below Table, or use our Speed and Feed Calculator.

    • Equivalent International Designations for Steel A6

    Standard Name
    saeA6

    Chemical Composition for Steel A6

    Element Amount
    Manganese (Mn)1.80-2.50%
    Molybdenum (Mo)0.90-1.40%
    Chromium (Cr)0.90-1.20%
    Carbon (C)0.65-0.75%
    Silicon (Si)0.50 max%
    Nickel (Ni)0.30 max%

    Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Steel A6

    * Click on the speeds below for higher precision in specific conditions!

    ApplicationVc (m/min)Vc (SFM)
    Turning125-165410-540
    Milling75-105250-340
    Parting60-80200-260
    Grooving70-95230-310
    Drilling50-65160-210

    Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:

    • Most suitable carbide grade
    • Stable tool clamping
    • Stable workpiece clamping
    • Good quality raw material
    • A short overhang of the cutting tool.
    • Nominal hardness of the material.
    • etc.
    Click on the speeds in the above table to get better precision for specific parameters
    Or use our Speed and Feed Calculator


    Recommended Carbide Grades for Steel A6

    * If you do nott understand the below table? Read This Explanation to make the most out of it!

    Grade for Turning

    Grade for Parting Off

    Grade for Grooving

    Grade for Milling (Indexable)

    Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Steel A6

    Honing Size:0.05-0.08 mm / 0.002-0.003"
    Rake Angle:11° -13°
    Land Angle:Positive
    Land Width:0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012"

    Learn more about carbide inserts Cutting-Edge Geometry Parameters.

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