Main page
About us
Advertising Opportunities
Discuss the article and ask questions in our Materials Forum
to Metals
to Steels and cast irons
Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich
Tool and die steels are high carbon steels (either carbon or alloy) possessing high hardness, strength and wear resistance.
Tool steels are heat treatable.
In order to increase hardness and wear resistance of tool steels, alloying elements forming hard and stable carbides (chromium, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, molybdenum) are added to the composition.
Designation system of one-letter in combination with a number is accepted for tool steels.
The letter means:
Applications: chisels, forging dies, hummers, drills, cutters, shear blades, cutters, drills, razors.
Properties: low cost, very hard, brittle, relatively low hardenabilityhardenability, suitable for small parts working at not elevated temperatures.
Applications: drawing and forging dies, shear blades, highly effective cutters.
Properties: strong, hard and tough crack resistant.
O -Oil hardening cold work alloy steels;
A -Air hardening cold work alloy steels;
D -Diffused hardening cold work alloy steels;
Applications: tools experiencing hot or cold impact.
Properties: combine high toughness with good wear resistance.
Applications: cutting tools.
Properties: high wear heat and shock resistance.
Applications: parts working at elevated temperatures, like extrusion, casting and forging dies.
Properties: strong and hard at elevated temperatures.
Applications: molds for injection molding of plastics.
Properties: good machinability.
| AISI No. | C, % | Mn,% | W,% | Si,% | Cr,% | Mo,% | V,% | Co,% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W1 | 1.0 | 0.35 | 0.30 | - | - | - | - | - |
| O1 | 0.95 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.30 | 0.5 | - | - | - |
| A2 | 1.0 | 0.30 | - | 0.30 | 5.0 | 1.0 | - | - |
| D2 | 1.55 | 0.30 | - | 0.30 | 12.0 | 1.0 | - | - |
| S1 | 0.5 | 0.30 | 2.5 | 0.30 | 1.5 | - | - | - |
| T15 | 1.6 | 0.30 | 12.0 | 0.30 | 4.0 | - | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| M2 | 0.9 | 0.30 | 6.0 | 0.30 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | - |
| H13 | 0.35 | 0.40 | - | 1.0 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | - |
| P20 | 0.4 | 1.5 | - | 0.4 | 1.9 | 0.2 | - | - |
