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
view technical info
H13 is an air hardening tool steel with good toughness and high heat resistance.
Round :- 0.375” diam through 24” diam
Flats : 0.375” thick through 8” thick
H-13 ESR
view technical info
H13ESR is a premium re-melted, air hardening tool steel with good toughness and high heat resistance.
Rounds : 0.750” diam through 13” diam
Flats : 4.00” thick through 8” thick
420 ESR
view technical info
420 ESR stainless steel designed for good corrosion resistance, excellent polishability, and good wear resistance.
Rounds : .500" dia through 12" dia
Flats : .250" thick through 12" thick saw cut widths up to 24"
PSB 67
view technical info
PSB 67 ESR is a premium re-melted air hardening tool steel with excellent toughness and excellent heat resistance
Round : 1.00” diam through 12” diam
H21
view technical info
H21 is an air hardening tool steel with high heat resistance and moderate toughness.
Rounds : Inquire on availability
M2
view technical info
M2 is an air hardening high speed tool steel with excellent heat resistance and moderate toughness
Rounds : 0.375” diam through 24” diam
Flats : 0.375” thick through 8” thick