CRUCIBLE 154 CM
Crucible 154 CM is a heat treatable stainless steel, which offers higher hardness and wear resistance, and enhanced corrosion resistance compared to 440C.
Typical Chemistry
Carbon 1.05%
Manganese 0.50%
Silicon 0.30%
Chromium 14.00%
Molybdenum 4.00%
Typical Applications
Bearings
Valve Parts
Cutlery
Bushings

Hardening

Preheat: 1100/1250F, equalize, 1400/1450F, equalize.

High Heat: 1900/2000F, hold 30/60 minutes at temperature.

Quench: Air, positive pressure vacuum, interrupted oil. Cool to 150F.

Temper: 400-800F, hold 1 hour/inch of thickness, 2 hours minimum.
Tempering between 800 and 1100F should be avoided, due to a decrease in both toughness and corrosion resistance.

Cryogenic Treatments: Refrigeration treatments can increase hardness and may improve long term dimensional stability by transforming retained austenite. Refrigeration treatments should generally be performed after the first temper, and must be followed by a temper.
Typical Properties

Tempering
Temperature

°F
Hardness HRC
Air
Oil
Oil + Ref.

AQ 59 61 63
212 59 61 65
400 56 59 62
600 54 56 60
800 55 57 60
1000 58 60 61

Surface Treatments

Nitriding decreases the corrosion resistance of stainless steels, and is not generally recommended for this grade. Because of the limitations of tempering between 800 and 1100F, surface treatments for 154 CM should be limited to those compatible with tempering temperatures under 800F.

Annealing
A. Heat to 1650F, hold six hours, cool slowly (25F/hour maximum) to 1200F, then air cool.
Or
B. Heat to 1600F, hold two hours, cool to 1300F, hold 4 hours, then air cool.
Typical annealed hardness: 235 BHN.

Stress Relieving
Annealed Material: Heat to 1200/1250F, hold two hours, cool in still air.
Hardened Material: Heat to 25F below original tempering temperature, hold two hours, cool in still air.

Welding
Use type 440C or 420 filler material.
Annealed Material: Preheat to 600/800F. Maintain above 600F during welding. Reanneal or temper 1300F 4 hours.
Hardened Material: Preheat to 25F below original tempering temperature (400F minimum). Maintain above 400F during welding. Cool to 150F after welding. Temper 25F below original tempering temperature (400F) minimum.

Physical Properties
Modulus of Elasticity ...................................................................30 psi x 106
Density ...............................................................................................0.28 lb/in3
Thermal Conductivity ..................200F.............................. 14.0 BTU/hr/ft/°F
Thermal Expansion
          RT-200F........................................................................5.7 X 10-6 in./in./°F
          RT-600F........................................................................6.0 X 10-6 in./in./°F
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