Maraging steel

Maraging steel is a low-carbon, high nickel ultra high strength steel, characterized by its ability to achieve high strength, toughness, and dimensional stability after martensitic and aging treatments. It does not rely on high carbon to harden, but on the precipitation strengthening of alloy elements, so it is common in high load, precision parts, and aerospace applications. In addition, its processability and weldability are usually good, but corrosion resistance is not the main advantage.

Basic Concept

The term maraging steel is derived from two metallurgical processes: martensitic transformation and age hardening.

The strengthening mechanism of maraging steel does not rely on high carbon content. Instead, it is strengthened by the formation of fine precipitates during the aging process, produced by alloying elements such as nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, and titanium.

Key Characteristics

Maraging steel offers extremely high strength, and many grades can reach ultra-high strength levels.
It generally provides better toughness and ductility than conventional high-strength steels.
After heat treatment, maraging steel exhibits minimal dimensional change, providing excellent stability during forming and machining operations.
It also has relatively good weldability, making it suitable for complex structural components.
In general, maraging steel is not classified as stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance is limited, and it may still rust after long-term exposure to humid environments.

Representative Grades

Common maraging steel grades include 250, 300, and 350. Different grades offer different balances among strength, toughness, and machinability.

In addition, there are stainless maraging steel variants, such as Custom 465, which provide improved corrosion resistance while maintaining high strength.

Product Applications

Maraging steel is widely used in aerospace, tooling, rocketry, and high-strength mechanical components, particularly where high strength and fracture toughness (not being too brittle) are required. High-strength grades are also utilized in landing gear, engine components, gears, die-casting dies, and high-load structural parts.

C-250

1. Extremely high strength: After aging treatment, its nomin

C-250

1. Extremely high strength: After aging treatment, its nominal ultimate tensile strength can reach 300,000 psi, which exceeds the strength performance of C-250. High hardness and wear resistance: after solution annealing and aging treatment, its hardness can reach about 53.5 HRC. Balance between strength and toughness: C-300 provides higher bearing strength, but if you need materials with better fracture toughness or easier cold forming before aging, C-250 will be a better balanced choice; If the absolute critical bearing capacity is the first priority in design, C-300 should be selected. High temperature resistance: same as other materials in the same series, it can maintain strength even in high temperature environment.

2. Easy to machine, low deformation and easy to machine: materials are usually supplied in the state of solution treated, and the steel in this state is relatively soft, allowing machining, cutting or forming. The industry standard process proposal is "solution treatment → molding treatment → aging treatment", which can greatly reduce the processing difficulty and rework time. Simple aging heat treatment: after processing, the strength of the material will be greatly improved by keeping the temperature at a low temperature of 480 C510 C (900 F950 F) for 3 to 6 hours and then air cooling. Zero deformation risk: because it contains no carbon, there is no need for protective gas environment (no risk of decarbonization or carburization) during heat treatment, and the dimensional shrinkage is uniform and highly predictable during heat treatment, and almost no deformation will occur.

3. Excellent weldability: C-300 continues the fine tradition of 18% Ni-Ma aging steel family and has excellent weldability and repairability. Post-weld heat treatment: After the welding process is completed, it is also suggested that the standard high-temperature solution and aging treatment procedures should be adopted to eliminate the material unevenness caused by the welding heat affected zone and make it reach its due critical bearing ultimate strength.

4. High-load application aerospace and defense industry: missile components, rocket motor housings, aircraft landing gear parts and wind tunnel models. High-performance mechanical parts: structural parts that need to bear extremely high critical loads, high-performance transmission shafts, recoil springs, actuators and high-strength fasteners. Industrial mold: Because of its characteristics of maintaining strength at high temperature and not deforming after heat treatment, it can also be used for high-temperature molds such as extrusion molds and Core pins in die casting industry.

C-300

1. Ultra-high strength: After aging treatment, its nominal u

C-300

1. Ultra-high strength: After aging treatment, its nominal ultimate tensile strength can reach 300,000 psi, surpassing the strength performance of C-250. High hardness and wear resistance: After solution annealing and aging treatment, its hardness can reach approximately 53.5 HRC. Strength and toughness trade-off: C-300 offers higher load-bearing strength, but if you require superior fracture toughness or easier cold forming before aging, C-250 would be a better balanced choice; if the design prioritizes absolute critical load-bearing capacity, then C-300 should be selected. High-temperature resistance: Similar to other materials in the same series, it maintains strength even in high-temperature environments.

2. Easy to process, low deformation Easy for machining: The material is typically supplied in a solution-annealed condition, which makes the steel relatively soft and suitable for machining, cutting, or forming. The industry-standard process recommendation is "solution treatment → forming → aging," significantly reducing machining difficulty and rework time. Simple aging heat treatment: After processing, simply heat the material at 480°C–510°C (900°F–950°F) for 3 to 6 hours followed by air cooling, and the material's strength will improve substantially. Zero deformation risk: Since it contains no carbon, no protective gas atmosphere is required during heat treatment (no risk of decarburization or carburization). Additionally, the dimensional shrinkage during heat treatment is uniform and highly predictable, resulting in almost no deformation (minimal distortion).

3. Welding Characteristics Excellent Weldability: C-300 continues the outstanding tradition of the 18% nickel时效钢 family, featuring superior welding and repair capabilities. Post-Weld Heat Treatment: After welding, it is also recommended to undergo standard high-temperature solution and时效处理 procedures to eliminate material inhomogeneity caused by the heat-affected zone, ensuring it reaches the required critical load-bearing limit strength.

4. High-load applications in aerospace and defense industries: missile components, rocket motor housings, aircraft landing gear parts, and wind tunnel models. High-performance mechanical parts: structural components subjected to extreme critical loads, high-performance drive shafts, recoil springs, actuators, and high-strength fasteners. Industrial molds: Due to their ability to maintain strength at high temperatures and resist deformation during heat treatment, they are also suitable for extrusion molds and core pins in die-casting applications, among other high-temperature molds.