Application-Based Tool Steel Selection

Tool Steel Application Material Finder

Pick the tooling application and the finder returns suitable grades, practical alternatives and the selection note behind each recommendation. It is a first-stage guide, so check tool size, working temperature, impact load and heat treatment before a grade is fixed. New to grade selection? Start with how to select tool steels.

  • 1Pick the tooling application
  • 2Compare primary and alternative grades
  • 3Check the selection note
  • 4Send the grade list for a quote

    • This is a first-stage material selection guide. Final grade selection should still consider tool size, working temperature, impact load, wear mode, machining allowance and heat treatment control.

    Primary grades the usual starting choice for the application Alternative grades replacement logic when the primary grade chips, cracks or wears Selection note the failure mode to check before the grade is fixed
    Use the dropdown above to find suitable grades by application. The result will separate primary materials, replacement options, and caution notes.
    Grades included in this finder Click a grade to see which applications it suits.

    Cold Work

    D2, D3, D6, A2, O1, O2, DC53 and GB equivalents.

    Hot Work

    H10, H11, H13, H21, L6 and Chinese hot-work grades.

    HSS

    M2, M35 and M42 for cutting, drilling, milling and severe machining.

    Mold & Bearing

    P20, P20+Ni, 52100 and GCr15 for mold and wear applications.

    Need bulk tool steel supply for a specific application?

    Aobo Steel supplies tool steel and alloy steel in annealed or soft condition for distributors, stockists and industrial projects. Share the grade, size, quantity, tolerance and destination to receive a practical supply suggestion, or use the contact page.

    Email [email protected] · Tel and WhatsApp +86 180 6294 5370

    Open contact form Tool steel grades

    Related reference pages

    Tool steel composition chart · Grade comparison and equivalents · Hot hardness chart · Hardening and tempering temperatures · Machinability ratings

    Grade families: cold-work tool steels · hot-work tool steels · high-speed steels · plastic mold steels

    Grades and notes in this finder are organized from Aobo Steel application data. Aobo Steel supplies material, and final hardening, tempering, nitriding, coating or other service heat treatment should be confirmed according to the actual tool design and working condition.