Hot Work Tool Steel
Hot Work Tool Steels are specially developed steels designed to withstand high temperatures, thermal fatigue, and mechanical loads during industrial operations involving heat. These steels are used in applications where tools come in contact with hot metals (300°C to 700°C) such as forging, die-casting, extrusion, and hot stamping.
Hot work steels combine:
1. High hot strength
2. Excellent thermal fatigue resistance
3. Good toughness
4. Resistance to softening at high temperature
5. Wear & shock resistance
These properties make them an essential choice for high-performance tooling industries.
Types of Hot Work Steels
1. Chromium Hot Work Tool Steels (H11, H12, H13)
Most widely used, versatile hot work grades.
Typical grades include:
c. DB6 (1.2714)
Key features:
a. High thermal shock resistance
b. Excellent strength at elevated temperatures
c. Uniform hardness after heat treatment
d. Great for high-pressure die casting & forging
2. Tungsten Hot Work Tool Steels (H21 Series)
Typical grade:
Key features:
a. Excellent resistance to high-temperature softening
b. High hot hardness
c. Good wear resistance
d. Used in applications requiring sustained heat exposure
Key Properties of Hot Work Tool Steels
1. Withstand temperatures up to 600–700°C
2. Excellent thermal fatigue resistance
3. High wear resistance at elevated temperatures
4. High toughness and shock resistance
5. Maintains hardness even under repeated heating & cooling
6. Good machinability in annealed condition
7. Resistant to heat checking, cracking, and deformation
Applications of Hot Work Tool Steels
1. Hot forging dies
2. Extrusion tools
3. Die-casting dies & inserts
4. Hot shear blades
5. Hot punches & hot trimming tools
6. Plastic injection moulding tools (high temperature)
7. Glass moulds & tools
8. Die holders & mandrels
9. Pressure casting dies
10. Hot runner components
Why Industries Prefer Hot Work Tool Steel?
Because they offer:
1. Long tool life under extreme temperatures
2. Superior dimensional stability
3. Resistance to mechanical + thermal shock
4. Cost-effective performance in high-cycle operations
These steels are essential for forging shops, automotive die makers, extrusion plants, aluminium die casting, pressure die-casting units, and steel foundries.