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When selecting materials for your tooling, it is important to understand the differences between grades like O1 and O2 tool steel. Both are common in the O-series of oil-hardening tool steels, but their characteristics can affect your manufacturing. The Bottom Line Up Front For factory managers and engineers comparing O1 and O2:  O1 tool steel is a well-documented, […]

A2 vs. O1 Tool Steel: Making the Right Choice | Aobo Steel Choosing between A2 and O1 tool steel for your operations is a common consideration, and the best answer depends on your specific application requirements. Generally, if minimizing distortion during heat treatment and achieving better toughness are top priorities, A2 is often the preferred

If you’re using D2 tool steel in your factory, you might be wondering if hardening is a necessary step. Let’s get directly to the answer. The Short Answer: Yes, D2 Steel Needs Hardening D2 steel must be hardened for nearly all tooling applications in a factory setting. It’s designed to be used in its hardened

So, the big question: is P20 steel weldable? Yes, it absolutely is. P20 steel is commonly welded, particularly for repairing and modifying molds and dies. However, it’s not as straightforward as welding basic carbon steel. P20 is a specialized alloy tool steel, and to weld it successfully without issues, you need to follow specific procedures

Understanding O1 tool steel‘s hardness is critical for performance and tool life in factory applications. At Aobo Steel, this is a common question we address. To be direct, properly heat-treated O1 tool steel typically shows a Rockwell C hardness (HRC) from the low 50s to the mid-60s. In its as-quenched state—immediately after hardening and before

When you’re selecting tool steel for your projects, particularly for applications like plastic injection molds or die casting dies, a common question that comes up is about the condition of P20 steel upon delivery. So, let’s get straight to it: Yes, P20 tool steel is typically supplied in a pre-hardened condition. Understanding P20’s “Pre-Hardened” State

Is D2 tool steel good for blades? Yes, D2 tool steel makes a great blade, if you need extreme wear resistance above all else. Think high-volume industrial cutting, shearing, and trimming. But if your blade takes a beating or needs to resist chipping, D2 might not be your best bet due to its lower toughness.

What are the D2 tool steel disadvantages? While D2 tool steel is highly regarded for its excellent wear resistance in cold-work applications, it presents challenges including difficult machining and grinding, moderate toughness, potential dimensional instability due to retained austenite after heat treatment, susceptibility to quench cracking, and significant difficulty in welding. Understanding these limitations is

The Short Answer: Yes, O1 tool steel is a very capable material for many types of knives. It excels in providing high hardness, excellent edge retention, and good toughness, making it a reliable workhorse. It’s also relatively easy to work with and cost-effective. The main consideration is its lower corrosion resistance compared to stainless steels;