>>> IMS ÖZEL ÇELIK : TOOL STEELS

Tool steels are used to fabricate tooling exposed to stress that cannot always be defined preciselly in the design phase.

In some cases, when selecting the steel grade, a correct compromise must be achieved between, in some case, contrasting properties. According to the varius cases that must be examined attentively by the users, these steels must have the following main properties : This means that the grade of steel must be selected after carefully assessing of all the components involved and it is advisable to always consult the supplier. The supplier must, in turn, guarantee high quality products so that the user can obtain the results expected and, also very important, that these can be repeated. In many cases, the grade of steel to be used is selected according to previous experience and, for this reason, the possibility of achieving constant results is a major guideline. This can be achieved only through fine-tuning of precise fabrication cycles and searching tests on the product before this is sold. Lastly, it should be remembered that correct in service heat treatment is very important and this must be carried out taking into account that this operation also has considerable repercussions on the required characteristics of use.
Technology has made considerable progress, especially in the last few years, aimed at achieving optimal results by developing and controlling the final heat treatment. This context also includes the modern surface treatments (e.g. C.V.D. – P.V.D. – Ion nitriding) intended to increase, in some cases, the hardness and wear resistance of tooling made of tool steels. In view of the purpose of this cartalogue, no reference is made here to the classification of the grades of tool steels, simply indicating that the tool steels sold by IMS ÖZEL ÇELIK are divided into :

Hide details for COLD WORK TOOL STEELS :COLD WORK TOOL STEELS :
this group includes tool steels used to fabricate tooling where the conditions maintain operating temperatures below 200°C. In this group we can found, for example, the grade 2080 (X205Cr12KU) steel with wear resistance and fairly good dimensional stability during heat treatment, the main applications of this grade are : rolls for cold strip mills and wire squeezer mills, circular knives and shead blades, dies for small metal parts, punches and drawing dies, dies for sintering, forming tool rollers, shear blades and molds for plastic materials. The grade 2379 (X155CrVMo121KU), steel characterized by high wear resistance, excellent hardenability and dimensional stability during the heat treatment. If treated at high temperature, the phenomena of secondary hardness occurs at subsequent tempering. This characteristic makes this steel suitable for nitriding and/or P.V.D. type surface hardening treatments. The main applications are : shear blades, blanking punches, die chasers, rolls for cold mills, threading rolls and chasers.

Hide details for HOT WORK TOOL STEELS :HOT WORK TOOL STEELS :
this group includes steels for tools used to fabricate tooling intended for non-continuos use in operating conditions, where the tool works at temperatures in the range 450°C - 600°C. In this group we can find, for example, the grade 2365 (30CrMoV1227KU), steel characterized by extensive possibilities of heat treatment and excellent characteristics of use. The higher Mo content endows this steel with excellent toughness, good tempering strength, high resistance to shocks and to thermal fatigue. It can be cooled in service with water. The main applications are : die for the pressure casting of heavy alloys with high melting temperature, liners, spindles and other parts for extrusion presses, tooling for the production of nuts and bolts, single block inserts and dies for presses. It is advisable to preheat the tools to a temperature of between 250 ÷ 300 °C before use. The grade 2344 (X40CrMoV51.1KU), steel suitable for air hardening. It is characterized by fairly good dimensional stability during heat treatment. It maintains high wear resistance up to temperatures of around 600 °C. This steel also possesses excellent toughness and high level insensitivity to thermal shock and thermal fatigue. A nitriding type surface treatment can be carried out on this steel to increase the service life of the tooling. The main applications are : dies for the pressure casting of light alloys, tooling for the extrusion of light alloys and steels, hot work shear blades, rolls for profiling tools (welding area). The tools should be preheated to temperatures in the range 250 ÷ 300 °C before use.


Hide details for HIGH SPEED STEELS :HIGH SPEED STEELS :
this group includes tools steels intended for highly stressed cold work applications in which high temperatures may be reached locally, such as cutting tools and those for cold work. In this group we can find, for example, the grade 3343 (HS 6-5-2), steel characterized by excellent wear strength and toughness, this is without doubt the most widely used steel. It is used at the moment for the high volume production of dynamically stressed tools: twist drills, taps, die chasers, rotating files, cutters, broaches, woodworking tools; applied sectors for circular and straight blades; dies and tools for fine cutting and for cold extrusion. The grade 3243 (HS 6-5-2-5), high-speed steel with excellent duration of the cutting edges, red hardness and toughness. It is particularly suited for: tools for roughing work at very high cutting speeds, and thick removal sections on steels and cast iron, high performance twist drills, cutters and taps. With the qualities indicated above, together with excellent compression strength, this steel can be used with excellent results in the fabrication of highly stressed dies and tools in cold shearing and extrusion processes.

Hide details for PLASTIC MOULDS :PLASTIC MOULDS :
this group includes all steels used to fabricate dies for plastic and complementary tools. In this group you can find, for example, the grade 2311 (40CrMnMo7), steel with excellent hardening penetration up to 400 mm around. Generally supplied in hardened and tempered condition with excellent polishing and photoengraving properties. This steel is suitable for nitriding (800 HV around), chrome and nickel plating. Used for plastic dies with excellent surface finish properties. It is also used for dies of light alloys with low melting point, plates, dies box, etc. The grade 2312 (40CrMnMos8-6), Steel with good hardening penetration and good tool workability, also in hardened and tempered condition, thanks to the high level of sulphur. The main application is for plastic material dies, also in large sizes, on condition that surface finish properties are not too excessive. It is also used for plates, dies box, dies of light alloys with low melting point. It is suitable for nitriding (800 HV around) and chrome plating.