Key Characteristics:
High Hardness:
Tool steels are designed to be very hard, which allows them to resist deformation and wear when used for cutting, shaping, or forming other materials.
Wear Resistance:
The high hardness, combined with other alloying elements, gives tool steel excellent wear resistance, meaning it can withstand abrasion and friction without significant damage.
High-Temperature Performance:
Many tool steels are formulated to maintain their hardness and strength at elevated temperatures, making them suitable for hot-working applications.
Alloying Elements:
Tool steels typically contain significant amounts of carbon (0.7% to 1.5%) and are alloyed with elements like chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, and cobalt. These elements enhance specific properties like wear resistance, toughness, and heat resistance.
Common Types and Grades:
D2 Tool Steel:
Known for its high wear resistance and is often used for cutting tools and dies.
H13 Tool Steel:
A hot-work tool steel suitable for high-temperature applications like die casting.
O1 Tool Steel:
A general-purpose tool steel often used for knives, punches, and other tools requiring a sharp edge.
High-Speed Tool Steel (HSS):
Designed for high-speed cutting applications and maintains hardness at high temperatures.
S7 Tool Steel:
Offers high impact resistance and is used in applications like chisels and punches.
Applications:
Cutting Tools: Drills, milling cutters, lathe tools, etc.
Dies: Forming dies, stamping dies, drawing dies
Molds: Plastic injection molds, die casting molds
Hand Tools: Hammers, chisels, punches
Other Industrial Applications: Where high hardness, wear resistance, and temperature resistance are required
