Cold Work Tool Steel for High Precision Applications

 

When you are in a business that involves the manufacturing of highly precise instruments or tools, it would be to your advantage to make use of a material that is especially made for making such items. It should be a type of steel that is hard, tough, and will maintain its original shape and size, even when faced with changes in temperature and humidity.

Cold work tool steel is a type of steel that has all those qualities and more which makes it the best type of material of use in applications like manufacturing of medical tools or in making electrical components.

It Is Unique In Many Ways

Let us say that you require a high level of accuracy and precision when it comes to the products you make. Naturally you will go for a material that will be able to fulfil those requirements which means that the material you need has to have certain special qualities. Cold work tool steel has several unique traits that help to set them apart.

 

Durable: Such a steel is known to be able to handle wear and abrasion very well.

High Hardness: Coldwork tool steel can be really hard, which means that it is difficult to scratch it or dent it.

Tough: While being hard, it also tough. This means it can absorb shock and impacts without cracking or breaking.

Resists Weathering: Although, it is not as corrosion resistant as stainless steel, cold work tool steel fights rust and decay greatly.

Retains Shape & Size: The material has good “dimensional stability” meaning it does not dramatically change its shape while being hardened.

Types of Cold Work Tool Steel

There are different types of cold work tool steel, each with its own unique properties and applications.

AISI O1: This is a high-carbon variation which is a favourite among craftsmen because of its workability or how easy it is to cut or machine using a tool. It's the material often used for making cutting tools, gauges, and precision dies.

AISI A2: This is a high-alloy type of cold work tool steel and is as tough as they come, with extremely good wear resistance. It is mostly used in cold heading dies, blanking tools, and cold rolls.

AISI D2: Contains a high level of chromium within it. With its wear resistance and toughness, it excels in applications like die casting, stamping, and moulding.

AISI S7: This is a cold work tool steel type that is considered as “high-alloy” and offers a very high level of wear resistance, toughness and can withstand big amounts of shock and impact. It's used in shear blades, blanking tools, and cold heading dies.

Cold work tool steel is an adaptable and high-performing material that is ideal for many types of applications. This steel is one that has been specifically designed for uses that require precision and accuracy. It is known for its hardness, toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. It is used in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas.

So, if you are looking for a type of material that can successfully deal with the demands of your business of making precise tools and instruments, cold work tool steel is the type of material that will work well for you.