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When it comes to die casting, selecting the right tool steel is crucial for success. Many of our customers rely on H13 tool steel, and for good reason. Let’s break down why H13 tool steel is a workhorse in this demanding field. H13 is a 5% chromium hot-work die steel, widely used for casting metals […]

With over two decades of supplying top-quality tool and alloy steels, we frequently receive questions about selecting the best grade for a specific application. Today, let’s compare two standard models: SKD11 versus SKD61. While both are reliable Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) tool steels, they are designed for fundamentally different worlds within the factory. Understanding their

A frequent technical question we address from workshops and engineers concerns the classification of AISI 4140 steel: does it belong in the tool steel category? Based on standard industry classifications, AISI 4140 is not typically grouped with traditional tool steels, such as the W, O, A, D, S, H, M, T, L, F, or P

When selecting materials for demanding applications, understanding the mechanical properties is critical. For engineers working with structural components and machinery, tensile strength is a key metric. Let’s take a straightforward look at AISI 4140 steel, a popular choice we supply here at Aobo Steel, and specifically its tensile strength. What is 4140 Steel? First, AISI

A common question we encounter is about steel designations, specifically regarding A2 and Type 304 stainless steel. It’s essential to be clear, as different global standards can sometimes lead to confusion. To put it directly: Yes, Type 304 stainless steel is often referred to as “A2” under the ISO 3506 standard. If you see “A2”

Selecting the correct steel grade is critical for the performance and longevity of your tooling. At Aobo Steel, with our extensive experience in tool steel forging, we often guide customers through the differences between popular grades. Two common choices, particularly for mold and die applications, are P20 tool steel and H13 tool steel. While both

At Aobo Steel, with our extensive experience in tool steel, we frequently receive questions about the best material for specific applications. A common one involves D2 tool steel and its suitability for demanding applications, often described as “chopping” – think shearing, blanking, or heavy trimming in manufacturing. D2 steel is a popular choice for these

At Aobo Steel, with our decades of experience in tool steel, we often discuss the practical aspects of using different grades. A common issue that arises is the difficulty some users encounter when sharpening D2 tool steel. Let’s look into the technical reasons for this. D2 steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold-work tool steel. Its

This is the steel we(Aobo Steel) supply the most, and we have extensive experience in D2 tool steel heat treatment. This guide outlines the key steps for processing D2. Following these procedures carefully will achieve the desired hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. At the bottom of the article, you can download the D2 steel heat

Heat treatment is not merely an optional step for A2 steel; it is necessary to develop the specific combination of high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness required to effectively use as a tool and die material. Without proper heat treatment, A2 steel would lack the strength and durability to perform reliably in demanding manufacturing environments,