Tool steels are a group of materials including alloyed and high alloyed steels that enable processes such as cutting, bending, forging, machining and chipless manufacturing applied on raw materials and can also be used as mould steel. Until the end of the 19th century, carbon steels were used as tool steels, more complex high alloy tool steels were developed from the beginning of the 20th century. These highly alloyed tool steels contain elements such as chromium, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten/wolfram which make them dimensionally controllable and resistant to cracking during heat treatment. Thanks to these elements, tool steels have the following properties;

• High Strength

• Impact Toughness

• Abrasion Resistance at Room Temperature & High Temperatures

 

Tool steels are generally divided into 3 categories; hot work tool steels, cold work tool steels and high speed steels. In addition, plastic mould steels can also be considered in the category of tool steels or as a subgroup.

 

Cold Work Tool Steels;

Cold work tool steels are generally used in applications where the surface temperature does not exceed 200o C.

 

Hot Work Tool Steels;

Hot work tool steels are generally used in applications where the surface temperature is above 200oC.

 

High Speed Tool Steels:

High speed tool steels are the name given to tool steels used in machining and forming processes. Since the application surface temperatures of these steels can reach up to 600oC, their high temperature hardness and temper resistance are very important.