What is Tool Steel? Tool steel is a variety of carbon and alloy steels that offer abrasion resistance and a high level of hardness. In addition, the steel’s toughness prevents the shape from deforming during high temperatures. These properties make it the ideal choice for creating tools. Tool Steel Classes Tool steel comes in several…
Tool steel is a variety of carbon and alloy steels that offer abrasion resistance and a high level of hardness. In addition, the steel’s toughness prevents the shape from deforming during high temperatures. These properties make it the ideal choice for creating tools.
Tool steel comes in several different classes, each made for different purposes. These different classes include the following.
Air hardening tool steel is an all-purpose steel that has an increased chromium content that prevents distortion during the heating process. Air hardening steel is perfect for machinability and offers the best balance between toughness and wear resistance. Applications for this type of steel include various knives, embossing, lamination, arbors, and more.
High-carbon high-chromium tool steel is also air hardening but uses a special formula that makes it abrasive resistant while including other air hardening characteristics. Applications for this steel include paper cutters, various knives, file cutting, die bending, and burnishing tools.
Shock resisting tool steel has a special design that resists shock at both high and low temperatures. It uses a low carbon content to achieve the needed toughness and low abrasion resistance. Applications for shock resisting steel include chisels, chuck jaws, clutch parts, boiler shop tools, jackhammer bits, and more.
Hot-working steel serves a single purpose—to cut materials at high temperatures. It uses a unique blend low in carbon and high in additional alloys to add strength and hardness for long exposure to high temperatures. Applications for hot working tool steel include hot sheer knives, pressure die casting, drop forging, and glass and tube manufacturing.
Oil hardening tool steel hardens when it’s quenched in oil. It’s high in carbon and offers toughness and non-distorting properties, making it ideal for creating complicated shapes. For that reason, it’s used for a wide variety of applications including drill bushing, knurling tools, and shear blades, machinery gages, molds for wheels, screw molds, and much more.
Water hardening tool steel is steel high in carbon. It’s not suitable for high temperatures but does offer a high level of hardness. It’s known as water hardening steel because it’s quenched with water during processing. Common applications include cutting tools, cutlery, knives, and reamers.
Browse some of our products below:
Air Hardening
A2, A6, A7
High Carbon-High Chrome
D2, D3
Shock Resisting
S1, S5, S7
Mold Quality/ Hot Work
420, P20, h13
High Speed
M2
Oil Hardening
O1, O2, O6, L6
Water Hardening
W2
Drill Rod
O-1, W-1, A-2, S-7, D-2, M2
Precision Ground Flat Stock
O-1, A-2, D-2, S-7, A-6, M-2
Powdered Metal
M4 PM, A11-LVC PM, A11 PM, T15 PM
Alloy & Low Carbon
Freemax 15, 4140 DCF Prehard 4150 & 4340 Heat Treated, 8620
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