Hardenable low alloy steel
Hardenable low-alloy steel is a type of iron-based material with mechanical properties superior to ordinary carbon steel. Made by adding alloying elements such as nickel, chromium and molybdenum, followed by quenching (rapid cooling) and tempering heat treatments. If these metal elements are dissolved in austenite before quenching, the hardenability can be effectively improved. Nickel complements the hardening effect of chromium and molybdenum and plays an important role in imparting toughness to the hard martensitic microstructure formed by quenching and tempering heat treatments. Hardenable low alloy steels are commonly used in the manufacture of crankshafts, gears and aircraft landing gear.
Tool steel
Tool steels include a wide range of high-hardness, wear-resistant steels used in stamping (stamping or extrusion), cutting or shearing, die making or impact applications (tools such as hammers). It is heat treated similarly to hardenable low alloy steels.
Air-hardening tool steels reduce deformation caused by rapid water quenching, making them a balance between wear resistance and toughness. Plastic mold tool steels are low carbon steels that have been formed, carburized, hardened and tempered to a high surface hardness, making them ideal for injection and die casting molds.
