Cold-Work Tool Steel is a class of tool steels specifically engineered for metal-forming and cutting operations carried out at low temperatures, typically below 200°C. These steels are designed to deliver very high hardness, superior wear resistance, excellent dimensional stability, and high compressive strength under continuous impact and abrasive conditions.
Cold-work tool steels are commonly alloyed with chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese to enhance hardness, toughness, and resistance to abrasive wear. They are extensively used in punching, blanking, cutting, forming, and pressing operations performed at room temperature.
Key Mechanical Characteristics
High Hardness (58–64 HRC)
After heat treatment, cold-work tool steels achieve extremely high hardness
levels, enabling excellent cutting performance and long tool life.
Excellent Wear Resistance
High chromium and vanadium carbide content provides outstanding resistance
to abrasion in severe working environments.
High Compressive Strength
Capable of withstanding heavy forming, stamping, and punching loads without
plastic deformation.
Dimensional Stability
Maintains precise dimensions after heat treatment, which is critical for
precision dies, punches, and cutting tools.
Moderate Toughness
Balanced toughness helps prevent chipping and cracking under repeated
impact loading.
Available Forms
✔ Round bars
✔ Flat bars
✔ Plates & sheets
✔ Tool steel blocks
✔ Forged bars & billets
✔ Precision ground bars
✔ Cut-to-size profiles
Applications
Punching & Blanking Tools: Punches, dies, and cutting plates for sheet metal processing
Cold Forming Dies: Dies for bolts, nuts, rivets, fasteners, and complex formed components
Shear Blades & Slitters: Cutting blades for steel, aluminum, copper, and non-ferrous sheets
Press Tools & Bending Dies: Tools used in hydraulic and mechanical presses
Industrial Knives: Granulator blades, chippers, wear plates, and cutting knives
Precision Components: Mold inserts and tooling components requiring high hardness and wear resistance
Roll Forming Tools: Rolls used to shape metal sheets at room temperature
Why Industries Choose Cold-Work Tool Steel
Cold-work tool steel is preferred for its long service life, excellent abrasion resistance, consistent dimensional accuracy, and reliable performance under repeated impact and high loads. These characteristics reduce downtime, lower tool replacement costs, and improve productivity in demanding manufacturing environments.