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TOOL STEEL

Tool steels are a family of grades of alloy steel whose composition is designed to produce a combination of toughness and wear resistance. These steels typically contain Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium.

As a variety of carbon and alloy steels they are particularly well-suited to be made into tools; Carbon Tool Steels, Cold Work Tool Steels, Hot Work Tool Steels, High-Speed Tool Steels, Special-Purpose Tool Steels. Their suitability comes from their distinct toughness, resistance to abrasion, their ability to hold a cutting edge and/or their resistance to deformation at elevated temperature (red-hardness).

Tool Steel is a term given to a class of steels that are metallurgically very clean and fall within strict limits for alloy proportions. Vanadium, tungsten, and molybdenum are often added to tool steels to make the steel resist annealing (softening) when used in high-speed (high heat) applications.

Characteristics

• Toughness
• Wear Resistance
• Can be hardened by Heat Treatment
• Can be machined to the desired tool
• Can retain a cutting edge
• Hard, but brittle

Uses

• Making tools
• Metal cutting tools
• Drill bits