Germany cold-worked alloy tool steels have been a very popular choice for a variety of applications including hard-to-machine materials and high-temperature applications. Tool steels are extremely versatile and are able to be used in a variety of applications. They can be used to create die cast molds, springs, gears, shafts, dies and cutting tools. These steel grades are long lasting and durable, providing the precision required in manufacturing processes.
Tool steels are commonly divided into two categories: hot-working steels and cold-working steels. Cold-working steels are steels which have been treated at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures. This is usually done through rolling, forging, or other methods. Cold-working steels are made up of chromium, manganese and molybdenum in different proportions. Cold-working steels often have improved mechanical properties compared to hot-working steels.
Germany’s cold-working alloy tool steels are known for their superior properties and are used in industries ranging from cutting and machining, to hand and power tools, to plastic and metal die casting, and more. These steels are known for being hard and resistant to wear, as well as being heat treated to further strengthen the material. This heat treatment creates a hard, wear-resistant surface, capable of withstanding high temperatures, while maintaining its strength and form.
Cold-working steels also have high toughness, which is a measure of their ability to resist fracture when subjected to shock or impact loading. This makes them perfect for applications that require parts to endure fluctuating loads, such as in robotics, or components subjected to high wear, such as dies and cutting tools. Cold-working steels are also known to be corrosion-resistant, providing increased longevity for parts used in production processes and other industrial applications.
In addition to these common benefits of cold-working steels, German-made steels also offer some additional benefits. German-made steels have high hardness, as well as a high level of wear-resistance. This allows for longer tool life and better performance. Additionally, German-made steels, especially in the grade range of 1.30-1.60, offer excellent machinability, which greatly reduces the workload on tooling and production processes.
The wide variety of low-alloy cold working steels available from German steel producers is an advantage for machining a large range of materials. From high-end die-cast molds, to cutting tools and springs, German cold-working alloys are suitable for a wide range of manufacturing applications and can often provide improved performance or cost savings when compared to other materials or alloys. The unique properties of German cold-worked alloys makes them an invaluable tool in production processes.
