Tool steels are a special type of high-alloy steels which have better wear resistance and greater fatigue strength than ordinary carbon steels. They can offer high hardness, toughness, and wear resistance, and are primarily used for cutting and forming dies (such as for injection molding), tools, and machining components.
Tool steels are usually supplied in the hardness range between 45 HRC and 65 HRC. They can be either cold-worked or heat-treated, depending on the grade and application. Generally, they are used in tool manufacturing and machining components in both hot- and cold-working processes.
The most common tool steels used in machining processes include high-speed steels, air-hardening steels, and shock-resisting steels. High-speed steels are alloyed with tungsten and molybdenum and are primarily used for high-speed cutting operations such as drilling and milling, tapering, and reaming. Additionally, they can also be used in tool-manufacturing operations such as die-casting and forging. These steels have extremely high wear resistance and are ideal for applications requiring shock and wear resistance.
Air-hardening steels are usually alloyed with chromium, tungsten, or molybdenum for superior hardening properties. These steels are less expensive than other types of tool steels, are a good choice for applications that require good cutting performance, and also for non-critical wear applications. They also have good machinability and can be used for cold- and hot-working applications.
Shock-resisting steels have excellent shock-resistance and can be used in operations that involve heavy-duty impact. These steels are ideal for applications where a hardened steel is required and when greater levels of wear and abrasion resistance are needed. They are usually used for machining operations such as forging and hot-work applications.
Tool steels are used in a variety of industrial applications, from automotive to aerospace, from medical to consumer products. In general, the harder the tool steel, the more wear resistant it will be, making it ideal for high wear and abrasion applications that require a high degree of hardness and toughness.
Tool steels offer a variety of benefits that make them ideal for a variety of industry applications. They are extremely hard and wear-resistant, making them ideal for both cutting and forming dies and other tool components. Additionally, they are more cost-effective than other types of alloy tool steels, while still offering excellent performance. Finally, they are highly shock-resistant and heat-resistant, making them suitable for numerous industrial applications.
