Tool steel is a steel used to make various tools, molds, cutting tools, measuring tools, etc., with high hardness, wear resistance and heat resistance. According to its chemical composition and properties, tool steel can be divided into the following categories:
1. Carbon tool steel
Carbon tool steel is a type of steel with a high carbon content, and its hardness is increased mainly by increasing the carbon content. It is often used to make simple tools and knives.
Classification:
Low carbon tool steel (C ≤ 0.25%)
Medium carbon tool steel (C 0.25%-0.60%)
High carbon tool steel (C 0.60%-1.00%)
Application: ordinary hand tools, pliers, scissors, turning tools, etc.
2. Alloy tool steel
Alloy tool steel is made by adding alloying elements (such as chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, etc.) to improve the hardness, wear resistance, impact resistance and high temperature resistance of steel. Alloy tool steel has better comprehensive performance and is suitable for making high-precision and high-strength tools.
Common alloying elements: chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, cobalt, silicon, etc.
Classification:
Chromium-containing tool steel (such as Cr tool steel, Cr content is 0.8%-1.2%)
Tungsten-containing tool steel (such as W tool steel)
Molybdenum-containing tool steel (such as Mo tool steel)
Vanadium-containing tool steel (such as V tool steel)
Application: molds, precision tools, high-speed cutting tools, etc.
3. High-speed tool steel
High-speed tool steel (HSS) is a type of alloy steel that maintains high hardness and wear resistance at high temperatures and is suitable for high-speed cutting work. It has high hardness, strength and wear resistance, and can maintain stable performance at high temperatures.
Features: Contains tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt and other elements, with excellent high temperature resistance and softening resistance.
Common models: M2, M35, T1, T15, etc.
Application: drills, milling cutters, turning tools, cutting tools, etc.
4. Cold working tool steel
Cold working tool steel is mainly used to manufacture tools that work at room temperature or at low working temperatures, such as cutting tools, dies, etc. Cold working tool steel has high hardness, wear resistance and impact resistance, and is suitable for high-intensity use at room temperature.
Features: high hardness, good wear resistance, and good processability.
Common models: D2, D3, O1, O2, etc.
Applications: stamping dies, cutting tools, knives, etc.
5. Hot working tool steel
Hot working tool steel is used for tools that work at high temperatures and has good heat resistance, deformation resistance and oxidation resistance. It is often used to manufacture tools with high working temperatures, such as molds, die-casting molds, etc.
Features: high temperature resistance, deformation resistance, and oxidation resistance.
Common models: H13, H11, H21, etc.
Applications: hot molds, casting molds, extrusion molds, etc.
6. Plastic mold steel
Plastic mold steel is a tool steel specially used for manufacturing plastic molding molds, with good wear resistance, corrosion resistance and heat treatment performance. It is suitable for mold fields that require precision manufacturing.
Features: corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and easy processing.
Common models: P20, 2738, 718, etc.
Applications: injection molds, blow molds, die-casting molds, etc.
7. Mold steel
Mold steel is a type of tool steel specially used for manufacturing molds. It has high wear resistance, hardness and toughness, and can withstand large pressure and temperature changes under high temperature and high pressure. Mold steel is divided into cold work mold steel, hot work mold steel and plastic mold steel, etc.
Applications: molds, molding tools, etc.
8. Other special tool steels
In addition to the common types mentioned above, there are also some tool steels with specific properties on the market, such as:
Stainless steel tool steel: has excellent corrosion resistance and is suitable for use in some special environments.
Powder metallurgy tool steel: manufactured using powder metallurgy technology, with uniform organizational structure and excellent performance, suitable for high-end cutting tools, etc.
