O1 Tool Steel: Unrivaled Performance for Demanding Applications

The Ideal Choice for Precision Tooling, Dies, and Wear-Resistant Components

Maximize tool life, minimize downtime, and achieve superior results with our premium O1 tool steel

Looking for a reliable O1 tool steel supplier? Aobo Steel provides high-quality O1 tool steel with excellent wear resistance and machinability, ensuring top application performance.

What is O1 tool steel? O1 tool steel is a low-alloy cold work die steel. This steel has a certain degree of hardenability and wear resistance, with minimal quenching deformation. The carbide distribution is uniform, and the particles are fine. Manufacturers typically use O1 tool steel for manufacturing cold punching dies with small cross-sections, complex shapes, and various gauges and measuring tools.

o1 steel

O1 tool steel Applications

kitchen knives
Shear Blades
gripper dies
Punches and Dies
  1. Cutting Tools
    Toolmakers widely use O1 for cutting tools such as chisels, drills, and knife blades because it not only retains a sharp edge but also offers excellent wear resistance.

  2. Punches and Dies
    O1’s toughness and wear resistance make it popular for punches and dies that endure repeated high-impact forces.

  3. Knives and Blades
    O1 is highly regarded in the knife-making industry for its ability to hold a sharp edge while offering good toughness. This makes it ideal for knives, axes, and other blades.

  4. Shear Blades
    Engineers often use O1 tool steel in shear blades since high hardness and edge retention are critical for effectively cutting through tough materials.

High Wear Resistance

O1 tool steel is made to withstand some pretty brutal conditions. Its endurance guarantees minimizing wear, even after long-term usage, extending the lifetime of tools and reducing maintenance costs.

Exceptional Toughness

Reliability is key. Under extreme pressure, O1 tool steel remains strong while other types develop cracks and fractures, making it suitable for high-stress applications.

Introduction to O1 tool steel

O1 steel has a relatively high manganese content, along with chromium and tungsten, which enhances its hardening ability, making intense water quenching unnecessary. Oil quenching can achieve a hardness of up to 62HRC. The steel also exhibits good machinability, wear resistance, stable heat treatment performance, and minimal dimensional deformation, but its toughness and corrosion resistance are relatively weak.

O1 steel composition

ElementCarbon (C)Manganese (Mn)Chromium (Cr)Tungsten (W)Vanadium (V)Silicon (Si)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)
Content (%)0.85 – 1.001.00 – 1.400.40 – 0.600.40 – 0.600.30 max0.10 – 0.400.030 max0.030 max

O1 steel equivalent

StandardEquivalent Grade
USA (AISI)โอวัน
Germany (DIN, Werkstoff)1.2510 (X153CrMoV12)
Japan (JIS)สกส3
China (GB/T)9CrWMn

O1 steel properties

PropertyValueCondition
Density7.81 g/cm³Hardened to 62 HRC
Electrical Conductivity7.4% IACS
Yield Tensile Strength58 ksiAnnealed
Shear Modulus11,200 ksi
Shear Strength58 ksiAnnealed
Fatigue Strength40 ksiAnnealed
Elongation at Break20%Annealed
Machinability85-95% of a 1% carbon steel

O1 steel heat treatment

Isothermal annealing process after forging

ProcessHeating Temperature (°C)Holding Time (h)Tempering Temperature (°C)Tempering Time (h)Cooling MethodHardness (HBW)
Isothermal annealing process after forging780 ~ 8002 ~ 3670 ~ 7202 ~ 3Furnace cooling to below 550°C, then air cooling197 ~ 241
 

Quenching Specifications 

Preheating Temperature (°C)Heating Temperature (°C)Quenching MediumQuenching Medium Temperature (°C)Quenching MethodHardness (HRC)
650820 ~ 840Oil20 ~ 60Oil Quenching64 ~ 66
 

Isothermal quenching process

Heating Temperature (°C)Equalizing Temperature (°C)Equalizing Time (h)Heat Treatment Structure
800 ~ 840260 ~ 300≤1The base structure is martensite + retained austenite + residual carbide. A suitable amount of bainite is distributed on the high-strength martensite base.

O1 steel hardness

The hardness of O1 tool steel depends on its heat treatment condition:

ConditionHardness (HRC)
Annealed (Softened for machining)20 – 22 HRC
After Hardening & Quenching62 – 64 HRC
After Tempering (Typical range)57 – 62 HRC

Forging Process Specifications

ItemHeating Temperature/°CInitial Forging Temperature/°CFinal Forging Temperature/°CCooling Method
Steel Ingot1150 ~ 12001100 ~ 1150≥850Slow Cooling
Steel Ring1100 ~ 11501050 ~ 1100≥850Slow Cooling

O1 vs. O2 steel

O1 and O2 look like pretty much the same steel, and we’ve provided some data comparing them.

PropertyO1 Tool SteelO2 Tool Steel
Carbon Content0.90-1.00%1.60%
Hardness (HRC)57-6262-66
Wear ResistanceGood (C, Cr, W)Better (Higher C, V)
ToughnessHighLower
MachinabilityHighLower
Corrosion ResistancePoor, mild (0.5% Cr)Poor (Minimal Cr)
CostLower, widely availableHigher, less common
UsesGeneral tools, dies, punchesCutting tools, precision dies

Try O1 Tool Steel and Feel the Difference!

Why settle for less when you can have something awesome for your manufacturing? Our O1 tool steel is tough, super easy to work with, and totally reliable—even for the hardest jobs. Check out how it can make your tools and operations better than ever!

O1 Steel Equivalents: DIN 1.2510 and JIS SKS3

O1 steel, equivalent to DIN 1.2510 in German and JIS SKS3 in Japanese. They are all low-alloy cold work tool steel and can be interchanged with these grades. They exhibit good plasticity, toughness, wear resistance, hardenability, and edge retention, with minor quenching distortion and a uniform, fine carbide distribution.

Introduction to DIN 1.2510 steel

1.2510 Chemical Composition

Carbon (C)Chromium (Cr)Molybdenum (Mo)Vanadium (V)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)
1.40 – 1.604.00 – 5.001.00 – 2.000.50 – 1.000.20 – 0.60≤ 0.030≤ 0.030

1.2510 steel Heat treatment

ProcessTemperature RangePurposeCooling Method
Annealing800°C – 850°C (1472°F – 1562°F)Softens the steel for improved machinabilitySlow cooling in furnace
Hardening1000°C – 1100°C (1832°F – 2012°F)Increases hardness and wear resistanceOil or air quenching
Tempering500°C – 600°C (932°F – 1112°F)Reduces brittleness and improves toughnessAir cooling

Introduction to JIS SKS3 steel

SKS3 Chemical Composition

Carbon (C)Silicon (Si)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Chromium (Cr)Tungsten (W)
0.90–1.00≤0.350.90–1.20≤0.030≤0.0300.50–1.000.50–1.00

SKS3 steel Propertites

PropertyValue
Density7.85 g/cm³
Hardness (Annealed)217 HB
Hardness (Quenched and Tempered)55-64 HRC
Ultimate Tensile Strength1690-2000 MPa
Yield Strength1500-2200 MPa
Elastic Modulus172-193 GPa
 
 

FAQs

1. What is O1 steel commonly used for?
Manufacturers use O1 steel to make knives and cutting tools because it holds a sharp edge well. They also use it for mechanical parts like punches and dies, where durability and precision are key.
2. Does O1 steel rust easily?
O1 steel rusts easily due to no chromium. Keep it dry and oiled to prevent rust.
3. Can I find O1 tool steel in bar form?
Yes. We supply O1 tool steel in various forms, including bar stock, to suit your project needs.
4. How do I purchase O1 steel?
Contact us today to request a quote. Our team will guide you through the process and ensure smooth delivery to your location.

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