Carbon Tool Steel
Carbon tool steel is a steel alloy with a carbon content ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%. It is a type of tool steel that is suitable for use in the manufacture of tools and machine parts. It is specifically designed to be used in applications where superior hardness, wear resistance, and strength are needed.
Carbon tool steel is the earliest type of tool steel and has been used in manufacturing for centuries. It is commonly produced either by hot working or cold working processes. Hot working is typically used for parts that require more formability than strength, whereas cold working is used for parts that need increased strength and wear resistance.
The composition of carbon tool steel varies depending on the application. Generally, it contains higher amounts of tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt, and chromium, along with lesser amounts of boron, vanadium, and manganese. The combination of these elements provides the desired hardness, wear resistance, and strength.
Carbon tool steel is the preferred material for producing tools that require a high degree of durability and resistance to wear. Its naturally hard and tough properties make it ideal for producing tools such as drills, punches, dies, taps, and reamers. The hardness and toughness of carbon tool steel also makes it an ideal material for producing cutting and saw blades.
Another advantage of using carbon tool steel is that it can be heat-treated to a greater degree than other types of tool steel. Through heat treatment, the hardness and wear resistance of the steel can be increased. It can also be hardened and tempered to provide additional strength and increased wear resistance.
Different grades of carbon tool steel are available for specific applications and use cases. GB/T5952-1986 is a Chinese grade and is commonly used for the production of cold stamping dies, cold heading dies, and reamers. It is a high-carbon, high-chromium alloy steel with a carbon content ranging from 0.68% to 0.80%.
Because of its high carbon content, carbon tool steel can be easily formed and welded, although it requires special welding fluxes. The increased hardness makes it difficult to work with and requires special tools and techniques. This, combined with its excellent wear resistance, makes it an ideal choice for many fabrication and manufacturing applications.
Overall, carbon tool steel is an excellent option for manufacturing tools and machine parts. Its hardness, wear resistance, and strength make it effective in a wide range of tough applications. Along with its resistant to wear, it is easy to form and weld and can be heat-treated to a greater degree than other types of tool steel. This, coupled with its low cost, makes it a desirable choice for low- and medium-volume production applications.
