Product Overview
We supply a full range of tool steel strip for bimetal saw blades, including tooth-tip high-speed steel strip (M42, M51) and backing alloy steel strip (D6A, X32). Delivery states range from cold-rolled annealed to quenched and tempered.
Specifications:
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Thickness: 0.15 mm – 5.50 mm
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Width: 2 mm – 500 mm
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Edge: slit edge, round edge, square edge
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Surface: natural finish, bright finish, polished finish, blued finish
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Delivery condition: cold-rolled (21–28 HRC), annealed (<19 HRC), quenched and tempered (29–59 HRC)
Four Core Materials in Detail
1. D6A — Alloy Steel Strip for Bimetal Saw Blade Backing
D6A (also known as 45CrNiMoV / 46CrMoV4) is a medium-carbon alloy steel designed specifically as the backing material for bimetal saw blades. It must withstand repeated bending and vibration during high-speed cutting without fatigue failure.
Chemical Composition (wt.%):
| Element | C | Si | Mn | Cr | Ni | Mo | V | Nb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | 0.44–0.50% | 0.15–0.30% | 0.60–0.80% | 0.86–1.06% | 0.43–0.63% | 0.83–1.03% | 0.05–0.18% | 0.15–0.18% |
Mechanical Properties:
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Cold-rolled hardness: 21–28 HRC
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Annealed hardness: ≤19 HRC
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Quenched and tempered hardness: 29–59 HRC
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Tensile strength range: 260–290 ksi (approx. 1,790–2,000 MPa)
The core advantage of D6A is the balance between high strength and high toughness. The martensitic structure provides hardness, while the bainitic structure provides toughness. By controlling the ratio of these two structures through proper heat treatment, the desired fatigue resistance can be achieved.
Typical Applications: Bimetal band saw blade backing, wide band saw steel strip (thickness 0.9–2.0 mm, width 50–100 mm).
2. X32 — High-Alloy Steel Strip for Saw Blade Backing
X32 (DIN X32CrMoV4-1 / 1.2390) is a premium backing material among high-alloy tool steels. With an alloy content of 7.5–8.5%, the material strength can reach 1,800 MPa. It is designed for extremely high quench-temper performance and fatigue resistance.
Chemical Composition (wt.%):
| Element | C | Si | Mn | Cr | Mo | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | 0.29–0.33% | 0.20–0.35% | 0.90–1.10% | 3.80–4.50% | 3.20–3.90% | 3.00–3.50% |
Mechanical Properties:
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Hardness after quench and temper: HRC 45–50
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Tensile strength: ≥1,300 MPa (Q&T condition)
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Material strength (base): up to 1,800 MPa
Key Performance Characteristics:
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High fatigue resistance: maintains long service life under high-speed repeated bending.
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High wear resistance: suitable for cutting steel, non-ferrous metals, hard wood, and polymers.
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High toughness: withstands cutting vibration and impact without breaking.
Due to the production difficulty caused by high alloy content, X32 has long relied on imports, with high prices and difficult ordering. Only a small number of steel mills can supply it in stable batch quantities.
3. M42 — Cobalt High-Speed Steel Strip (Tooth Tip Material)
M42 (AISI M42 / DIN HS2-10-1-8 / 1.3247) is a molybdenum-series high-speed steel containing 8% cobalt. It is the most commonly used HSS material for bimetal band saw blade tooth tips.
Chemical Composition (wt.%):
| Element | C | Cr | Mo | W | Co | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | 1.00–1.10% | 3.50–4.25% | 9.00–10.00% | 1.25–2.00% | 7.75–8.75% | 1.00–1.50% |
Mechanical Properties:
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Tooth hardness: HRC 67–69 (after triple tempering)
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Annealed delivery hardness: approx. 280 HB; cold-rolled / cold-drawn condition is 10–40 HB higher
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Recommended workpiece hardness: ≤45 HRC (tool steel, stainless steel)
The cobalt content in M42 improves red hardness — the ability to maintain hardness at high temperatures — allowing it to stay sharp during high-speed cutting. Triple tempering further optimizes the balance between hardness and toughness.
Typical Applications: Bimetal band saw blade tooth tips, wire saws, hole saws, high-performance cutting tools.
4. M51 — Cobalt-Tungsten High-Speed Steel Strip (Tooth Tip Material)
M51 (AISI M51 / DIN HS10-4-3-10 / 1.3207) is an upgraded version of M42. It adds tungsten and increases cobalt content to approximately 10%.
Chemical Composition (wt.%):
| Element | C | Cr | Mo | W | Co | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | 1.20–1.35% | 3.80–4.50% | 3.20–3.90% | 9.00–10.00% | 9.50–10.50% | 3.00–3.50% |
Mechanical Properties:
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Tooth hardness: HRC 67–69
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Recommended workpiece hardness: ≤50 HRC (5 HRC higher than M42)
The core advantage of M51 is higher hot hardness and wear resistance. The addition of tungsten significantly improves carbide stability, while the 10% cobalt content further enhances high-temperature performance. This allows M51 blades to cut materials that M42 cannot handle efficiently, such as hardened tool steel and stainless steel.
Typical Applications: High-hardness tool steel cutting, stainless steel cutting, high-temperature alloy machining, efficient sawing of difficult-to-machine materials.
Material Comparison and Selection Guide
Backing Material: D6A vs X32
| Comparison | D6A | X32 |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy content | ~3–5% | 7.5–8.5% |
| Tensile strength | 1,790–2,000 MPa | ~1,800 MPa |
| Q&T hardness | 29–59 HRC | 45–50 HRC |
| Fatigue life | Standard grade | High fatigue resistance |
| Application | General metal cutting blades | High-speed / heavy-duty cutting blades |
| Cost | Economical | Premium |
Tooth Tip Material: M42 vs M51
| Comparison | M42 | M51 |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt content | ~8% | ~10% |
| Tungsten content | 1.25–2.00% | 9.00–10.00% |
| Tooth hardness | 67–69 HRC | 67–69 HRC |
| Max workpiece hardness | 45 HRC | 50 HRC |
| Suitable materials | General steel, tool steel | Stainless steel, hardened steel, high-temp alloys |
| Cost | Standard | Premium |
Recommended Combinations:
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M42 + D6A → General-purpose bimetal band saw blade for carbon steel and alloy steel cutting; best cost-performance.
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M42 + X32 → High-speed cutting blade for high-volume metal processing; longer fatigue life.
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M51 + X32 → Premium blade for precision sawing of stainless steel and hardened tool steel.
Key Information for the India Market
Import Tariffs and HS Codes
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| HS Code (steel strip) | 72269960 — Steel strip for razor blades and saw blades |
| HS Code (finished saw blades) | 82022000 / 82023100 — Band saw blades / saw blades with working part of steel |
| GST rate | 18% (9% CGST + 9% SGST or 18% IGST) |
| Customs duty (finished blades) | 10% (HSN 8202 series) |
India Local Supply Chain Status
The Indian bimetal band saw blade market is transitioning from full import to local manufacturing:
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Bipico Industries has launched import-substitution products, using imported bimetal steel strip to manufacture bimetal band saw blades in India. It is India’s first local bimetal band saw blade manufacturing plant.
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ALFA Precision has operated precision cold-rolling mills and laser welding processes since 2017, developing local bimetal steel strip capacity.
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Shivalik Bimetal Controls produces electron-beam welded materials and bimetal band saw blades.
Implication for buyers: Demand from Indian blade manufacturers for high-quality imported tool steel strip continues to grow, especially for premium grades such as X32 and M51, where local supply remains limited.
Why Choose Our Tool Steel Strip
1. Full Grade Coverage
We supply both tooth-tip materials (M42, M51) and backing materials (D6A, X32), enabling one-stop purchasing and reducing supplier management costs.
2. Strict Chemical Composition Control
All grades are controlled according to international standards (AISI / DIN / JIS), with a Mill Test Certificate provided for each batch.
3. Flexible Specifications and Delivery States
Thickness 0.15–5.50 mm, width 2–500 mm. Available in cold-rolled, annealed, and quenched-and-tempered conditions.
4. India Market Compliance Support
We provide complete HS code classification documents, certificates of origin, and GST-compliant invoices to assist with import clearance.
5. Technical Support
We offer heat treatment parameter recommendations, welding process guidance, and saw blade manufacturing technical consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between D6A and X32? Which one should I choose for saw blade backing?
D6A has lower alloy content (approx. 3–5%) and is suitable for general metal cutting blade backing with good cost-performance. X32 has 7.5–8.5% alloy content, with significantly better fatigue resistance and wear resistance, making it suitable for high-speed, heavy-duty cutting. The choice depends on cutting efficiency and blade life requirements.
Q2: How hard a material can an M42 tooth tip blade cut?
M42 tooth tips have a hardness of HRC 67–69 and are recommended for cutting materials up to 45 HRC, including carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, and some stainless steels.
Q3: What makes M51 better than M42?
M51 has more than 5 times the tungsten content of M42 (9–10% vs. 1.25–2%) and higher cobalt content (approx. 10% vs. 8%). Its cutting capability increases from 45 HRC to 50 HRC, making it especially suitable for stainless steel and hardened steel sawing.
Q4: What are the import duties and GST for tool steel strip in India?
Steel strip (HS 72269960) attracts 18% GST. Finished saw blades (HS 8202) attract 10% basic customs duty plus 18% GST.
Q5: What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ for regular grades is 1 ton. Please consult our sales team for special specifications and custom sizes.
Q6: Are samples available?
Standard specification samples are available for testing and evaluation. Sample costs and freight are negotiable depending on the specific grade.
Q7: What is the lead time?
Regular specifications in stock ship within 7–15 days. Custom specifications require 30–45 days for production.
Q8: Can you provide heat treatment process guidance?
Yes. We provide complete quenching and tempering parameter recommendations, including austenitizing temperature, tempering cycles, and target hardness ranges, to help customers optimize blade performance.
