This air-hardening, cold-work tool steel offers a unique balance of toughness and wear resistance. Characterized by good impact strength and moderate wear resistance, this alloy is often selected for applications requiring a keen cutting edge coupled with the ability to withstand shock loading. Typical compositional elements include chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten, contributing specific characteristics to the finished product. For instance, the addition of chromium enhances hardenability and wear resistance.
The combination of properties makes this specific type of tool steel suitable for a wide range of demanding applications. Historically, its resilience and edge retention have made it a favored choice in tooling for punching, stamping, and shearing operations. Its ability to maintain sharpness under stress has led to its use in applications where tool life and dimensional stability are paramount. The balanced performance contributes to reduced downtime and overall cost savings in manufacturing processes.