Various categories of tool
steels have gained popularity due to its high carbon content and blending with
other alloys that provide them with excellent physical properties. This, in
turn, offers wide applications across various industries. Besides the
application, there is also wide availability of tool steel grades including
cold working tool steel grades that has various sub-categories such as –
air-hardening tool steel, water hardening tool steel, oil hardening tool steel,
etc. Other types include – high-speed tool steel, hot working tool steel, shock
resisting tool steel, and many others. Tool steel suppliers in
India advise that, depending on the purpose, a certain category of
tool steel should be selected.
- For
high-impact work – Tool steel are robust but also somewhat brittle due to
their constant abrasion with metals and other hard materials. Heavy
impacts can lead to fractures as well. Shock resisting tool steel is one
of the hardest in the category and can endure a high degree of roughness.
Shock resisting tool steels are ideal for applications that have sudden
and large impacts. These are best used for hammers, chisels, and shears.
- For
high-temperature work – Tool
steel suppliers in India prefer using Hot work tool steel for
high-temperature applications. Mechanical properties of tool steel often
change due to high temperatures since they have been heat treated.
Therefore, hot work tool steel rarely loses its robustness and wear
resistance characteristics even at higher temperatures. High amount of
molybdenum and tungsten helps in this regard. This is ideal for hot shear
knives, extrusion dies and casting dies.
- For
high-speed work – Tool steels are often impacted when used at high speeds.
Abrasion and wearing can affect the tool steel and therefore the
efficiency is decreased. However, not with high-speed tool steels are
specifically meant to be used at high speeds. The mechanical properties of
these tool steels can endure high temperatures and are resistant to wearing
when grinded or slid against other materials.
- Affordable
price – For any industrial application with a comparatively lesser budget,
high-priced and high maintenance tool steels might not be appropriate
choices. Water hardening tool steels offer excellent mechanical properties
and are also affordable in the long run. These are rapidly quenched in
water for forming brittle microstructures and hardness that can endure
tear.
- For
low-temperature work – For work in low-temperature conditions, cold work
tool steel is ideal. Both air-hardening and oil hardening tool steels fall
under this category. These do not require frequent water quench because of
high molybdenum, manganese, or chromium content. With the number of
alloys, the mechanical properties of cold work tool steel are highly
enhanced. These are used for dies, punches, cold working applications,
etc.
- Plastic
molding – Plastic molding needs a unique category of tool steel. Type P is
the perfect tool steel for plastic molding. These are usually not used for
purposes other than those including molding for metals that require low
melting temperatures.
Choosing a certain kind of tool steel is subject to budget, application, conditions of work, etc. Tool steel suppliers in India prefer to know the application before listing the types of tool steel.
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