Hot work tool steels enable the hot forming of workpieces made of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as alloy derivatives at high temperatures. They are used in processes such as die casting, extrusion and drop forging, as well as in tube and glass manufacturing.

Hot Work Tool Steels

Hot work tool steels are steels that can withstand the high wear, heat and pressure conditions prevailing in production units that perform operations such as forming, cutting and forging of metals at high temperatures of 480 to 760°C.

These steels have abrasion resistance up to 540°C. Hot work tool steels are called group H steels and contain carbon and chromium along with vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten as other alloying elements.

What are the Characteristics of Hot Work Tool Steels?

The range of applications of hot work tool steels is wide and the tools produced are used in a wide variety of fields.

In general, hot work steels are of the medium and high alloy type and most have a relatively low carbon content (0.25 to 0.6 per cent). Hot work steels should have the following physical properties:

• Resistance to deformation at operating temperature.
• Shock resistance.
• Wear resistance at operating temperature.
• Resistance to heat treatment deformation.
• Resistance to heat control.
• Good machinability in annealed condition.