Hot Work Steels are used for applications requiring strength, wear resistance and toughness at elevated temperatures. The ability to withstand thermal cycling or heat check resistance is also required.
Tooling for hot forming and die casting requires a combination of high-temperature strength (hot hardness, temper resistance), wear resistance, and toughness. In applications involving thermal cycling (heavy cooling, etc.), heat check (thermal fatigue) resistance is also required.
Hot Forming
Hot forming operations include forging, extrusion, hot upsetting, piercing, and any other operations involving deformation of solid hot metal at relatively high temperatures. Generally, the environment is at least 600/800° F, and may exceed 2000° F, as in forging of ferrous alloys. Tools and dies will typically be required to run at temperatures of 800/1200° F and be able to withstand thermal cycling.
Tool steels should be chosen according to the specific conditions of the forming process. Generally, forming of nonferrous alloys requires lower temperatures, and thus permits a wider selection of tooling material. Up to about 900/1000° F, all of these steels are capable of maintaining reasonable properties. When tools will be expected to operate for long times at tool temperatures above about 1300° F, non-ferrous high-temperature alloys may be required, as such temperatures may be high enough to cause severe softening of most die steels, sometimes to the point of completely eradicating the original heat treatment at the surface of the die. Refer to the charts and individual datasheets for more specific information.
Hot Work Tool Steels Stock Sizes
H-13
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H13 is an air hardening tool steel with good toughness and high heat resistance.Round :- 0.375” diam through 24” diamFlats : 0.375” thick through 8” thick
H-13 ESR
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H13ESR is a premium re-melted, air hardening tool steel with good toughness and high heat resistance.Rounds : 0.750” diam through 13” diamFlats : 4.00” thick through 8” thick
420 ESR
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420 ESR stainless steel designed for good corrosion resistance, excellent polishability, and good wear resistance.Rounds : .500" dia through 12" diaFlats : .250" thick through 12" thick saw cut widths up to 24"
PSB 67
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PSB 67 ESR is a premium re-melted air hardening tool steel with excellent toughness and excellent heat resistanceRound : 1.00” diam through 12” diam
H21
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H21 is an air hardening tool steel with high heat resistance and moderate toughness.Rounds : Inquire on availability
M2
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M2 is an air hardening high speed tool steel with excellent heat resistance and moderate toughnessRounds : 0.375” diam through 24” diamFlats : 0.375” thick through 8” thick
