Heat treatment of steel July 29, 2021 Heat treatments are performed to alter the properties, chemicals and physical appearance of the steel grade. However, steel is heated due to many factors, such as the grade and the desired application. When performed by a professional, heat treatment is a highly controlled process that allows for many benefits. For example, increased hardness, durability, corrosion … Continued Read More
Air hardening steel July 27, 2021 Air hardening steel refers to steel that undergoes the process of using air as a quenchant. This natural quenchant is often used on steel in the A group of tool steels, such as A2, A3, A4, A6 and A10. However, it has also been known to be used on steel grades such as D2. Quenching … Continued Read More
What is quenching? June 29, 2021 Quenching is one of the most popular heat treatment methods for changing the properties of steel. When a toolmaker desires to increase the hardness, toughness, or strength of the steel due to the finished product’s environment, quenching is essential to perform. What is quenching? Well, a quick answer would be that steel is heated to its … Continued Read More
Oil hardening steel June 25, 2021 Overview Oil hardening steel refers to steel that must be quenched by oil. Typically, this is the cold-work group of steels, including the O family of tool steels such as O1 and O2. Pure steel often comes in a supply that is too soft for application. Therefore, quenching is the process needed to harden steel … Continued Read More
Tool steel application chart June 7, 2021 Tool Application Tool Requirements Tool Steel Choices Arbors Less likely to crack O1 Battering tools Good hardenability, shock resistance S1 Bending dies High hardness O1 Blanking Toughness, wear resistance M2 Blanking coining Toughness, wear resistance M2 Burnishing tools High hardness, wear resistance D2 Cams High stress and endurance O1 Chipper knives Minimum cracking, toughness A8 … Continued Read More
AISI 01 Ground Flat Stock April 28, 2021 AISI 01 Ground Flat Stock is an oil hardening, low distortion, precision ground high integrity cold work tool steel widely used to manufacture numerous types of industrial tooling. The main characteristics and properties of the material are: High as-quenched hardness Low dimensional movement or distortion after hardening Hardens from a relatively low hardening temperature Good … Continued Read More
Knife Making Steel April 6, 2021 Critical Properties of Knife Making Steel Whether you have taken up knife making as a hobby or seeking a top-quality blade, you must ensure that your knife is well-built so that it performs well. Many critical properties of the blade will determine whether your knife will fracture or dull. It is essential to choose the … Continued Read More
Elements of steel March 23, 2021 The elements in steel change depending on the individual requirements and use. However, here is an A to Z list of elements. Element Description Aluminium (Al) Aluminium holds atomic number 13 and the symbol AI. During the steelmaking process, aluminium is widely added as a deoxidizer to remove oxygen. Furthermore, when used in reheated steels, … Continued Read More
Tool Steel Grades and Comparison March 10, 2021 What Is Tool Steel? Tool Steel is widely used across the world by a range of toolmakers, engineers and pattern makers. Tool steel is not one particular steel, as it refers to a range of carbon alloy steels. The different grades are popular due to their unique hardness, resistance to abrasion and, more importantly, the … Continued Read More
What is high-speed steel? March 1, 2021 High-speed steel is a material used in the manufacturing industry to make cutting tools. The material is “heavily alloyed and ferrous”. What does that mean? Essentially, the steel is created from several other metals and contains a large amount of iron. There’s also a clue in the name; surprisingly, high-speed steels can cut materials at high … Continued Read More