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Tool Steel is an industrial-grade metal
specifically engineered to maintain its structural integrity and high strength even under extreme temperatures. By using additive manufacturing, we can produce high-performance molds and tools that feature conformal cooling channels, a feat impossible with traditional machining. This material is the backbone of modern manufacturing, offering the
perfect combination of high hardness and "red hardness" for tools that stay sharp and stable during intense use.
This material is celebrated for its
exceptional wear resistance and thermal fatigue resistance, making it highly durable for repetitive, high-heat processes like injection molding and die casting. Its unique blend of high toughness and ductility prevents cracking under mechanical stress, ensuring that your tools last longer and perform more reliably. Whether you are producing complex mold inserts or high-strength mechanical parts,
Tool Steel provides the ruggedness required for heavy industrial sectors.
In the Machinery, Automotive, and Electrical industries,
Tool Steel is the primary choice for manufacturing cutting tools, brazing fixtures, and forging dies. Its high hardenability makes it ideal for processing tools in radio instrumentation and motor manufacturing, where precision and longevity are critical. By 3D printing these components, we reduce material waste and allow for
topology-optimized designs that improve efficiency in any production line.
STRENGTHS
Lead Time 2 weeks, thermal fatigue resistance; high toughness, high ductility and wear resistance.
WEAKNESSES
Limited dimensional accuracy
While both materials are durable, Tool Steel is specifically engineered for extreme hardness and "red hardness"—the ability to maintain its strength even at red-hot temperatures. Unlike standard stainless steel, Tool Steel is optimized for impact resistance and thermal fatigue, making it the primary choice for heavy-duty industrial molds and cutting tools.
One of the greatest advantages of Tool Steel is its thermal fatigue resistance. During processes like injection molding or die casting, the metal is subjected to rapid heating and cooling cycles. Tool Steel is designed to resist cracking and deformation under these stresses, ensuring the mold remains precise over thousands of production cycles.
Red Hardness refers to the material's ability to retain its cutting edge and structural hardness even when the tool becomes hot from friction or external heat. This property is critical for high-speed machining and hot-forging dies, where ordinary steels would soften and fail, causing production downtime.
Yes, Tool Steel is characterized by its high wear resistance and excellent polishability. This makes it ideal for abrasive environments where metal-on-metal friction is constant. By 3D printing these parts, we can achieve a high level of surface density, which further enhances the tool's lifespan and resistance to surface erosion.
By 3D printing Tool Steel using SLM (Selective Laser Melting), we can integrate internal conformal cooling channels. These channels follow the exact geometry of the mold, allowing for much faster and more uniform heat dissipation than traditional straight-drilled lines. This significantly reduces cycle times and improves the quality of the molded parts.
Tool Steel is the "workhorse" of the Machinery, Automotive, and Electrical industries. It is used to manufacture high-precision injection mold inserts, die-casting tools, hot forging dies, and heavy-duty cutting tools. Its high hardenability makes it perfect for any application requiring extreme mechanical stability.
Absolutely. 3D-printed Tool Steel responds exceptionally well to standard heat treatment processes. This allows us to fine-tune the final hardness and ductility of the part to meet your specific industrial requirements, ensuring the finished component has the exact toughness needed for its intended environment.
IP protection is what most people are worried about when it comes to 3D printing because we get orders in which we have to copy the original design precisely.
We uphold strict confidentiality by default for all customer communication, projects, and models. Should you prefer a formal agreement, we offer standard NDAs or can review your own. Your trust is our priority.
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Parts in as Fast in 14 business days
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