Tool steel is a significant component of industrial manufacturing that affects tools’ strength, functional utility, and accuracy. For many years, FCS Tools has supplied cold work tool steel, hot work tool steel, and plastic tool steels for various applications, and they always offer top-quality products. This article explains the several types of tool steels, their uses, benefits, and details on selecting the appropriate material.
Cold Work Tool Steel: Its Applications and Benefits:
Cold work tool steel is meant for use in applications with significant wear at low temperatures. It is most commonly employed in tooling applications up to 200°C.
Applications of Cold Work Tool Steel:
| Application | Examples |
| Cutting Tools | Stamping dies, punches, blades (manufacturing) |
| Forming Tools | Bending, drawing, rolling dies (metalworking) |
| Industrial Knives | Shearing blades for metals, plastics, paper |
| Molds and Dies | Molds for rubber/plastic shaping (precision manufacturing) |
| Cold Extrusion Tools | Cold forging dies, metallic part shaping (cold working processes) |
Benefits of Cold Work Tool Steel:
- High resistance to wear: The tool is suitable for long-term use in demanding environments without constant replacement.
- Good toughness: Does not break or chip when subjected to much pressure.
- Dimensional stability: The tool maintains machining geometry even after heat treatment.
- Cost-effective: The tool can be used for extended periods, resulting in lower maintenance and replacement expenses.
Popular Grades of Cold Work Tool Steel:
| Grade | Characteristics | Applications |
| D2 Steel | High toughness, excellent wear resistance, and dimensional stability. | Punches, dies, cutting tools for long production runs. |
| O1 Steel | Good machinability, high toughness, and oil-hardening properties. | Cutting tools, blanking dies, bushings, and gauges. |
| A2 Steel | Air-hardening, superior wear resistance, and minimal distortion during heat treatment. | Forming dies, coining dies, and plastic injection molds. |
| SKD11 | High strength, durability, and suitability for cold-forming processes. | Cold extrusion dies, cold forging tools, and heavy-duty industrial applications. |
Hot Work Tool Steel: Its Applications and Benefits
Hot work tool steel are the specialized steels that can be employed at higher operating temperatures. They have good heat and thermal shock resistance and low rates of wear. They can be used around 200°C.
Applications of Hot Work Tool Steel:
| Application | Examples |
| Die Casting Moulds | Aluminium, zinc, and magnesium alloy die casting. |
| Forging Dies | Hammer and press forging in automotive and aerospace industries. |
| Extrusion Dies | Aluminium or plastic extrusion processes. |
| Glass Forming Tools | Fabrication of glass products (bottles, containers, optical components). |
| Hot Stamping Tools | High-strength steel forming in automotive manufacturing. |
Benefits of Hot Work Tool Steel:
- High heat resistance: Most characteristics, such as strength and hardness, are retained at higher temperatures.
- Good toughness and impact resistance: Withstanding cracking from thermal cycling.
- Phenomenal thermal conductivity: Minimizes heat accumulation and increases the tool’s longevity.
- Softening resistance: Toughness remains unaffected by sustained high temperatures.
Popular Grades of Hot Work Tool Steel:
| Grade | Characteristics | Applications |
| H13 Steel | High toughness, excellent heat resistance, and thermal stability. | Die casting, forging dies, extrusion tools, and hot stamping in automotive/aerospace. |
| H11 Steel | High strength, good wear resistance, and dimensional stability. | Die casting (aluminium/zinc alloys), forging, extrusion dies, and hot work tools. |
| H21 Steel | Exceptional heat resistance and creep strength. | Forging dies (heavy-duty applications), glass moulding, and hot extrusion. |
| 1.2344 | Superior thermal fatigue resistance, high hardness, and toughness. | Die casting dies, forging tools, extrusion dies, and plastic injection moulds. |
Plastic Tool Steel: Its Applications and Benefits:
Plastic tool steel is tailored especially for state-of-the-art precision polishable, corrosion-resistant, and rigid moulds.
Applications of Plastic Tool Steel:
| Application | Examples |
| Injection Moulds | Low-cost but functional plastic parts (e.g., consumer goods, packaging). |
| Blow Moulds | Plastic bottles, containers, and hollow products (e.g., PET bottles). |
| Compression Moulds | Thermoset plastics (e.g., electrical components) and rubber products. |
| Extrusion Dies | Plastic profiles, pipes, and films (guaranteeing dimensional accuracy). |
| Optical & Medical Moulds | High-precision lenses, medical devices, and biocompatible components. |
Benefits of Plastic Tool Steel:
- Polishability: This is essential in producing moulds with high gloss finish surfaces.
- Corrosion resistance: Particularly prevents rusting due to high humidity.
- Good Toughness and Hardness: Provides reliability and durability for use in mould applications.
- Easy Machinability: Convenient for mould making with little amount of processing.
Popular Grades of Plastic Tool Steel:
| Grade | Characteristics | Applications |
| P20 Plastic Mould Steel | High toughness and good machinability | Manufacturing plastic moulds |
| 420 Plastic Mould Steel | Higher corrosion resistance | Plastic moulds exposed to moisture |
| S136 Tool Steel | Extremely high mirror polishability | Optical and medical moulds |
| 718 Tool Steel | High wear – resistance | Large and medium – sized plastic forming dies |
How To Select The Right Tool Steel?
The application, abrasive wear, toughness, and heating are critical in choosing the steel.
Factors to Consider:
- Environmental factor: Answer whether the tool will undergo wear corrosion or high-temperature exposure.
- Machining: Some tool steel grades are more straightforward to machine, like O1 and P20.
- Hardness and Toughness: D2 and H13 are tough steels. Compare this to A2, which is tough and strong.
- Corrosion Resistance: The relative benefits of 420 or S136 stainless steels for plastic moulding are undisputed.
Finding the Best Tool Steel Supplier:
A tool steel supplier must be clearly defined to achieve excellent quality and performance. FCS Tool Steel provides cold work tool steel, hot work tool steel, plastic tool steel,and even high-speed tool steel. Hence, precision and durability are at the forefront of manufacturing.
Why Choose FCS Tools?
- Wide range of steel grades: Providing several for various applications.
- Expert assistance: Help in choosing the right material.
- Affordable prices: Good tool steel at competitive prices.
- Supply chain reliability: Timely deliveries and quality assurance is guaranteed.
- Industry Expertise: Multiple years of experience selling premium tool steels globally.
Conclusion:
Utilizing the correct cold work tool steel, hot work tool steel and plastic tool steel significantly increases a tool’s performance and lifetime. FCS Tools provides the best solutions with inexpensive tool steel provisions. From die casting to plastic moulding and even forging, FCS Tools makes sure you’re using the right material specific to your needs.
FAQ’s:
Q1. What is the cold work tool steel vs hot work tool steel?
A: Cold work tool steel is applicable for lower-temperature use. In contrast, hot work tool steel can be utilized at high temperatures and for thermal cycling.
Q2. What is the best grade of tool steel for injection moulds?
A: P20 and S136 grades are most suitable for plastic injection moulds as they are adamant and have good polishability.
Q3. How do I choose the correct tool steel for my application?
A: Selecting the ideal tool steel for a specific purpose, high operating temperature, wear resistance, toughness, and machinability are equally important factors to consider.
Q4. Where can I purchase tool steels?
A: FCS Tools is one of the best suppliers of cold work tool steel, hot work tool steel, and plastic tool steel intended for industrial use.
Q5. Which tool steel is the most suitable for die casting?
A: Because of the tool’s durability and heat resistance, H13 is arguably one of the most popular hot work tool steels for die casting.
