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SAE/AISI 52100 steel is an alloy steel occupying a central position in the field of materials science and engineering, particularly in the manufacture of precision mechanical components. It is considered the classic rolling bearing steel, and the comprehensive properties of 52100 steel serve as the benchmark against which the composition of other similar steels is […]

S7 tool steel is an impact-resistant tool steel. Its greatest advantage is exceptional impact resistance. A characteristic of S7 steel is its “air-hardening” capability. After heat treatment, it can be hardened by cooling naturally in air, rather than requiring immersion in oil or water. S7 exhibits excellent dimensional stability during machining, resisting deformation or cracking.

When manufacturing cold-working tools, selecting the right steel is paramount to determining tool life and efficiency. An ideal tool steel must possess high wear resistance, sufficient toughness, and excellent dimensional stability.  A2, D2, and D3 are the three most commonly used and representative grades of steel. Each of these steels represents a distinct “trade-off” in

Tool steels are a specialized category of iron-based alloys designed specifically for manufacturing tools, dies, and stamping dies used to cut, form, or shape other materials. A common characteristic of these steels is their ability to achieve extremely high hardness, strength, toughness, and outstanding wear resistance through specialized heat treatment processes. Among numerous critical engineering

Air-hardening steel is a critically important category of tool steel in materials engineering. Its widespread application stems from its minimal distortion during heat treatment, excellent deep hardenability, and superior mechanical properties. Air-hardening steels, such as the A and H series, rely on air-cooling—a relatively mild method—to achieve a hard martensitic structure. This stands in stark

Welding, forming, and heat treatment exert profound and interrelated effects on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and overall performance of tool steel during manufacturing. These processes determine the strength, hardness, toughness, ductility, and corrosion resistance of tool steel, while also influencing the presence of detrimental factors such as residual stresses and deformation. Whether tool steel can

AISI A2 tool steel is an air-hardening medium-alloy cold-work tool steel that is widely used, offering a favorable balance between wear resistance and toughness. Currently one of the most popular tool steels in the United States, it is commonly employed in high-precision tool manufacturing, such as gauges, precision measuring instruments, and complex dies for forming,

AISI D2 tool steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium steel that serves as the cornerstone for numerous demanding industrial applications. With its exceptional wear resistance, high hardness, and dimensional stability, D2 is the material of choice for long-lasting dies, blanking, forming, thread rolling, deep drawing, and shearing tools. However, while increasing the hardness of D2 steel

Extreme temperatures and pressures encountered in hot-working applications, such as forging, die casting, and extrusion, pose significant challenges to tool steels, often leading to failure due to wear, plastic deformation, and thermal fatigue. Selecting tool steel that maintains performance under severe conditions and prevents premature failure is crucial for achieving efficient and cost-effective production. Within

P20 tool steel finds extensive application in mold manufacturing and die casting. This low-alloy steel is typically supplied in a pre-hardened state (hardness approximately 30-40 HRC), enabling direct machining into complex molds without additional high-temperature heat treatment, thereby minimizing deformation and dimensional changes. It offers excellent machinability, polishability, and wear resistance. Primary applications include plastic