Tool Steel

Tool steels are used for hot and cold forming and for cutting of materials, particularly other metals, wood or polymers. This presumes that their strength and hardness must exceed that of the materials being cut or shaped.

Tool steels are usually classified into four groups:

• High Speed Steels with W content of 1.5 to 20%
• Hot Work Steels with 1.5 to 18% W
• Cold Work Steels with 0.5 to 3 wt% W 
• Plastic Mould Steels, with W content of ~1%.