General Information

Ovako 499Q is a tool steel suitable for carburizing or used in quenched and tempered condition. The alloying strategy gives a high tempering resistance which make the steel suitable for using in elevated temperature applications. Ovako 499Q is produced through the Ovako IQ-process (isotropic quality) to a cleanliness comparable to VAR-remelted quality. Carburizing requires certain precautions due to the high alloying content. A low carbon po-tential should be used and pre-oxidation is recommended to enhance carbon diffusion. The strong carbide formers will give an excellent microstructural stability and excellent wear properties.

IQ-Steel^® 
(Isotropic Quality) is an isotropic quality ultra clean steel. IQ-Steel is optimized for fatigue strength by a strict control of steel cleanliness. IQ-Steel, a further development of BQ-Steel, is an isotropic and ultra clean steel with properties that match re-melted steels. Based on thousands of examinations by Ovako into the effects of defects on fatigue performance, the metallurgy of IQ-Steel is purer and far more consistent than conventional grades, and designed specifically to perform well in multi axial loading. This enables the manufacturing of lighter, slimmed down components like gears, bearings and other critical parts. The steels are helping our customers to achieve new design solutions and implement higher standards of finished product performance. Key to these practical advantages are Ovako’s own unique, clean and consistent modern steelmaking processes that remove harmful inclusions and impurities from within the steel. IQ-Steels contain smaller and more fragmented inclusions and can handle much higher mechanical forces in all directions than conventional steels. IQ-Steels are newer, but already now well established in high pressure automotive applications. Modern diesel engines, with high and cyclic injection pressures, have proven to be an ideal application. Transmission components are another emerging area of strong interest.

* Designation followed by "*" is not an official EN standard grade but named according to the rules in EN 10027.