Tool Steel Selection for Forming, Drawing & Bending Dies

Select tool steel by sliding friction, compressive force, bending stress, wear level, toughness requirement, and heat treatment stability. For forming, drawing, and bending dies, the main choice is usually between wear resistance, toughness, and resistance to deformation.

Quick Selection Guide by Tool Steel Grade

Choose the grade according to drawing depth, bending stress, friction level, production run length, and dimensional stability requirement.

Long-Run Drawing

Acero para herramientas D2 1.2379 / SKD11 / Cr12Mo1V1

Recommended for long-run deep-drawing, cold-forming, and bending dies.

Reason: D2 provides strong wear resistance for abrasive wear and sliding friction, with good dimensional stability during heat treatment.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

Maximum Wear

Acero para herramientas D3 1.2080 / SKD1 / Cr12

Recommended for drawing and forming dies where maximum wear resistance is required.

Reason: D3 offers high carbon content, strong compressive strength, and excellent wear resistance for severe forming conditions.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

Balanced Choice

Acero para herramientas A2 1.2363 / SKD12

Recommended for bending dies, forming dies, and medium-run drawing dies.

Reason: A2 gives a strong balance of wear resistance and toughness, with low distortion during heat treatment.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

General Purpose

Acero para herramientas O1 1.2510 / SKS3

Recommended for drawing, bending, and forming dies under general-purpose working conditions.

Reason: O1 provides good abrasion resistance and sufficient toughness with relatively small dimensional change during heat treatment.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

High Toughness

Acero para herramientas S1 1.2550

Recommended for forming and bending dies where toughness is more important than maximum wear resistance.

Reason: S1 is selected when impact load, bending stress, or cracking risk makes brittle high-wear steel unsuitable.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

Shock Resistance

Acero para herramientas S7 1.2355

Recommended for forming and bending dies under severe impact, deep configurations, or high bending stress.

Reason: S7 sacrifices some wear resistance to provide excellent impact strength and ductility.

Ver detalles Enviar consulta

Selection Summary

This table gives a faster comparison when the buyer already knows the main working condition.

Requisito principal	Recommended Direction	Aobo Steel Grades
Long-run deep drawing, cold forming, and bending	High-carbon, high-chromium cold-work steel	D2
Maximum wear resistance and compressive strength	High-carbon cold-work steel	D3
Balanced wear resistance, toughness, and low distortion	Air-hardening medium-alloy cold-work steel	A2
General-purpose drawing, bending, and forming dies	Acero para trabajo en frío endurecible al aceite	O1
High bending stress, impact load, or cracking risk	Acero para herramientas resistente a los golpes	S1, S7

Need Tool Steel for Forming, Drawing or Bending Dies?

Send your grade, size, quantity, and application. Aobo Steel can support bulk supply of tool steel round bars and plates for industrial buyers.

Enviar consulta