Details
Material hierarchy: Metal - Ferrous metal - Steel
Tool steels are a class of (usually) highly alloyed steels designed for use as industrial cutting tools, dies, and molds. To perform in these applications, they must possess high strength, hardness, hot hardness, wear resistance, and toughness under impact. To obtain these properties, tool steels are heat treated. Principal reasons for the high levels of alloying elements are: (1) improved hardenability, (2) reduced distortion during heat treatment, (3) hot hardness, (4) formation of hard metallic carbides for abrasion resistance, and (5) enhanced toughness.
The tool steels divide into major types, according to application and composition. The AISI uses a classification scheme that includes a prefix letter to identify the tool steel.
Tool steel types:
Tool steels are not the only tool materials. Plain carbon, low alloy, and stainless steels are used for many tool and die applications. Cast irons and certain nonferrous alloys are also suitable for certain tooling applications. In addition, several ceramic materials (e.g., Al2O3 are used as high-speed cutting inserts, abrasives, and other tools.