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Alloy Selection for Tube Bending Wiper Dies

Material Options, Hardness Considerations, and Heat Treatment Requirements

Two alloy options are suitable for wiper dies in tube bending applications.

AMPCO® M4 is the best performing material for this application. However, the hardness of the supplied material must be checked before use. If hardness exceeds 285 HBW, the tongue of the wiper die will be too hard and brittle, creating a risk of fracture. A special heat treatment process is available to bring hardness down to the required level where needed.

AMPCO® 18.23 is the second option and is the most commonly selected grade. It offers performance close to AMPCO® M4 at a lower cost. A heat treatment process is also recommended for AMPCO® 18.23 to refine the grain structure and reduce the risk of cracking in the tongue area. This risk is particularly relevant when using AMPCO® 18 HCC material.

For large wiper dies, the recommended maximum dimensions for heat treatment must be verified in advance. For bronze alloys with a section thickness exceeding 3 inches, the risk of cracking during heat treatment is elevated and should be assessed carefully before proceeding.