Non-Alloy tool steels are steels that are alloyed to improve certain characteristics such as strength, wear resistance, toughness, and hardenability, but are not alloyed with other elements to produce a different type of steel. Non-Alloy tool steels are typically made of iron, carbon and a small amount of manganese.
The three primary categories of non-alloy tool steels are cold working steel, hot working steel, and mold steel. Cold working steel is a type of non-alloy tool steel that is used for cutting and forming metals at lower temperature. Cold working steel is typically heat treated, hardened, tempered or annealed to provide the optimal combination of hardness, toughness and strength. Cold working steel is commonly used for forming dies and cutting tools.
Hot working steel is also a type of non-alloy tool steel. Hot working steel is used in higher temperature applications such as die casting, forging and hot-pressing applications. Hot working steel has a greater resistance to higher temperatures which can extend the life of the tools.
Mold steel is a type of non-alloy tool steel that is commonly used for making high-precision molds. Mold steel is generally produced in the form of round bars that are then machined into the desired shape. Mold steel is often heat-treated and tempered to give it the desired properties for its particular application.
In the United States there are three common types of non-alloy tool steels that are used: H13, A2, and D2. H13 is an air-hardening, hot work die steel that is used for die casting and forging dies. A2 is also an air-hardening tool steel that is used primarily in cold work applications. It is known for its good machinability and wear resistance. Finally, D2 is a high carbon, high chromium, air-hardening die steel that is heat treated to the desired hardness and can be used for a wide range of applications.
In South Korea, the common types of non-alloy tool steels are SKS3, SKS4, SKS5 and SKS7. SKS3 is an air-hardening die steel that is used for die casting and forging dies. SKS4 is a cold work steel that is known for its excellent wear resistance and machinability. SKS5 is a hot work tool steel that is heat-treated to the desired hardness and is widely used for making molds and dies. Finally, SKS7 is a high carbon, high alloy, air-hardening tool steel that is also widely used for making molds and dies.
No matter where you are located in the world, it is important to be aware of the different types of non-alloy tools steels available to you. Each of these steels has its own unique characteristics and optimal applications, so it is important to choose the one that best fits your needs. From cold working steels to hot working steels to molds steels, non-alloy tool steels can help you achieve the best results when it comes to metalworking.
