Classification Performance of Carbon Tool Steel and Its Specific Uses
Carbon tool steel is an important type of steel used in engineering and mechanical applications due to its properties such as good cutting capabilities and long service life. It has a high carbon content and a good hardness which makes it suitable for producing tools and components that can tolerate high stresses and heavy impact. In addition, it also has a high wear resistance which makes it ideal for tools and components that are subjected to abrasion.
Carbon tool steel can be classified into two main categories: high-alloyed and low-alloyed tool steel. High-alloyed tool steels have a higher carbon content, usually over 1.5%, and are more expensive. They are characterized by their superior hardness and wear resistance. They are used for applications where superior strength, hardness and wear resistance are required, such as for punches, dies, cutting tools and other machine components. Low-alloyed tool steels have a much lower carbon content and are less expensive. They are used for applications where only moderate strength and wear resistance is required, such as in non-critical structural parts and components.
The most common types of carbon tool steels are W2, W1, AISI O1 and AISI 01T. W2 tool steel is a high carbon, high alloyed tool steel with a high wear resistance. It is primarily used in the production of cutting tools such as punches, taps, and broaches. W1 tool steel is similar to W2 steel, but contains a lower amount of alloying elements for improved machinability and lower cost. AISI O1 and 01T tool steels are low-alloyed carbon steels which have good machinability, but are more prone to rusting and are not as wear resistant as W2 and W1 steels.
Another type of carbon steel is the high speed steel. This type of steel has a high alloy content and is typically used for cutting tools and for drill bits. Its superior wear resistance makes it ideal for drilling operations, and its heat resistance makes it suitable for high heat-treating operations.
Finally, there is also the tool steel powder metal (PM). This is a powderized form of high-speed tool steel which is used in the manufacture of injection molds and other precision parts. PM tool steel has a very fine grain size and high wear resistance, making it suitable for small-scale parts that require precise tolerances and a high level of accuracy.
In conclusion, carbon tool steels are used in a wide variety of applications, ranging from cutting tools to drill bits and injection molds. Depending on the type of application required, different grades of carbon tool steel may be chosen based on their properties. However, regardless of the grade, carbon tool steels generally provide superior wear resistance, excellent cutting capabilities and long service life.
