Tool Die Steel

This category of steel is normally referred as fine high class steel which is quite appropriate to be made into tools. The grades that are part of tool steel group are differentiated from other categories of steel on the basis of their distinctive hardness, high resistance to abrasion, resistance to deformation at elevated temperatures and their ability to hold a cutting edge. Tool steel is generally used in a heat treated state for the purpose of getting good performance and increasing the life of material. There are many grades in tool steel that are used in different applications.

We supply H13 tool steel in both round and flat bars which can be further cut according to customer requirements. As a reliable hot work steel, it is suitable for a wide variety of applications. It combines very good red-hardness with toughness and tools may be water-cooled in service.

Chemical Contents	Carbon	Chromium	Manganese	Molybdenum	Vanadium	Silicon
Percentage	0.38-.42	4.5-5.5	0.40-0.50	1.20-1.40	0.9-1.1	0.9-1.1

Applications

Typical applications include die casting dies for aluminum, extrusion dies for aluminum, brass, liners, mandrels, pressure pads, followers, bolsters, die cases, die holders and adaptor rings for copper and brass extrusion. H13 is used to produce hot stamping and press forge dies, split hot heading dies, gripper dies, hot punching, piercing and trimming tools. Other applications include plastic moulds, shear blades for hot work and hot swaging dies.

Hardening and Tempering

Preheat to 780-820°C. Soak thoroughly, and then increase rapidly to the final hardening temperature of 1000-1030°C. When H13 component has attained this temperature, soak for approximately thirty minutes. Cool in air. Large sections may be quenched in oil. Tools should be tempered as soon as they become hand warm. Heat uniformly to the required temperature allowing a soaking time of two hours per 25mm of ruling section. Withdraw from the furnace and allow to cool in air. A second tempering is strongly recommended, the H13 tool being allowed to cool to room temperature between tempers. The usual tempering range is 530-650°C depending on the hardness requirements and the operating temperature of the tool.

Temperature [°C]	400	500	550	600	650
Hardness [HRc]	54	56	54	49	47

MMT is supplier of D2 tool steel in round bars, plates and blocks which can be sawn(cut) to your requirements. It is a high carbon high chromium tool steel grade offering very high wear resistance and toughness. D2 tool steel hardens in air with a low order of movement and offers a measure of corrosion resistance when polished. Commonly used for tools operating under conditions of severe wear and abrasion or as an alternative to oil hardening grades when long runs are required

Chemical Contents	Carbon	Chromium	Manganese	Molybdenum	Vanadium	******
Percentage	1.45-1.60	11-13	0.4-0.5	0.8-0.9	0.75-0.9

Applications

A popular grade for toolmakers, D2 is used in a wide variety of tool making applications. Typical applications include blanking dies and punches for sheet in stainless steel, brass, copper, zinc and hard abrasive materials generally. Other applications include deep drawing dies, forming dies, sheet metal forming rolls, shear blades for strip and sheet including circular cutters for cold rolled strip, trimmer dies, thread rolling dies, cold extrusion dies, broaches, plug gauges, ring gauges, special taps, brick and tile mould liners and cut moulds for plastics.

Hardening and Tempering

It is preferable to heat the tools in a controlled atmosphere. If this is not possible, pack hardening is recommended. A reducing atmosphere is desirable. Pre heat the D2 tool steel component to 750-800°C. And allow to soak (putting in a liquid for some period of time) at this temperature. The tools may then be brought up to 1000-1040°C for air cooling, or 980°C for oil quenching. Soak thoroughly at the temperature for thirty minutes per 25mm of ruling section, then cool or quench accordingly. It is important not to exceed 1020°C when heating for hardening. Double tempering is recommended. Tempering of D2 tool steel should be done with the least possible delay after hardening, preferably when the tools are still hand warm. Select a suitable tempering temperature, bearing in mind the service requirements. Heat slowly and uniformly. When the D2 component has reached the desired temperature, soak for at least one hour per 25mm of section. The second tempering should be a repetition of the first.

Temperature [°C]	150	200	250	300	350	400
Hardness [HRc]	62-61	61-60	60-59	57-56	56-55	56-55

High carbon high chromium steel noted for its resistance to abrasion, it offers excellent dimensional stability in hardening. After heat treatment, D3 is hard, durable and dense, and is immune from sinking in use. It offers a measure of corrosion resistance when polished. In general, the applications of D3 tool steel resemble those of D2 but it should be remembered that D3 has better wear resistance of the two steels and is preferred for such items as shear blades. Owing to its higher wear resistance, D3 tool steel is slightly more difficult to grind than D2.

Chemical Contents	Carbon	Chromium	Manganese	Silicon	Vanadium	Tungsten
Percentage	2.05-2.15	11-13	0.4-0.5	0.3-0.5	0.75-0.9	0.70-.90

Applications

D3 is suitable for applications such as complex blanking and forming tools for long runs and for hard and abrasive materials. It is commonly used for other applications such as brick and tile mould liners, master hobs for cold hobbling plastic moulds, tabulating punches and sleeves for corrosive powders.

Hardening and Tempering

Pre heat the component to 750-800°C and allow to soak at this temperature. The tools may then be brought up to 1000-1040°C for air cooling, or 980°C for oil quenching. Soak thoroughly at the temperature for thirty minutes per 25mm of ruling section, then cool or quench accordingly. It is important not to exceed 1020°C when heating for hardening. Double tempering is recommended. Tempering should be done with the least possible delay after hardening, preferably when the tools are still hand warm. Select a tempering temperature, bearing in mind the service requirements. Heat slowly and uniformly. When the component has reached the desired temperature, soak for at least one hour per 25mm of thickness. The second tempering should be a repetition of the first.