Archive for July, 2009
A-1 Air Hardening Steels Provide Increased Toughness
When steel stamps are made from tool steels, the inherent characteristics of the steel plus the changes that are affected from its manufacturing process and heat treatment dramatically influence its long lasting durability. The chemical composition is of the utmost importance. With the correct balance of alloy metals, marking or stamping instruments provide the service life that ensures the integrity of your final products and keeps your manufacturing costs down.
A-1 Air Hardening Steels Provide Increased Toughness
Air hardening (A-2) tool steel can be used in the same applications where water and oil hardening steels are used. Some of these include cold chisels, blacksmith tools, cold forming tools, hand punches, scissors, shears, razors, knives, taps, trimming dies, shear blades, knurling tools, drills, woodworking chisels, embossing dies and of course, steel stamps. The difference between this and other tool steel lies in the fact it has deeper hardenability and less tendency to deform during heat treatment. It is used in applications where greater accuracy is necessary.
The toughness of A-2 steel is due to higher levels of carbon and chromium. A typical chemical composition of the type of steel is this:
- Carbon 1.00%
- Silicon 0.30%
- Molybdenum 1.10%
- Manganese 0.80%
- Chromium 5.25%
- Vanadium 0.21%
- Iron – balance
Various steel alloys are combined with iron to produce the quality and toughness of A-2 steel for steel stamps. Raising the carbon content produces slightly harder steel and improves the wear resistance to a higher standard. The chromium adds value in terms of toughness and wear resistance of the steel in addition to further hardenability. The greater amount of manganese develops the hardenability, permits it to be oil quenched and decreased the distortion of the steel during quenching. The silicon is beneficial for the overall toughness and durability and makes it shock resistant. The vanadium refines the carbide structure of the steel and makes it a better metal to forge with improved hardness and resistance to wear.
Illinois Engraving Improves Your Bottom Line
The Illinois Engraving craftsmen take pride in the precise art of engraved tooling. With a dedication to designing with accuracy and using superior quality tool steels we assure the best products to suit your applications. We can suggest production techniques that reduce your overhead and increase your productivity. Please call us today at 1-800-528-2050 to order your custom steel stamps.
D-2 Air Hardening Tool Steel For Steel Stamps
There are several key mechanical properties steel stamps must possess to make them suitable for a given application. The tool steel from which the stamp is manufactured must have specific hardness, heat resistance, toughness and wear resistance in the final heat-treated product. The most important element in an alloy steel is the carbon. It provides the essential hardness in the tool steel and adds the necessary attribute of wear resistance.
D-2 Tool Steel for Added Strength
D-2 air hardening tool steels are used in applications where greater tensile strength is required. This is the amount of stress or pulling force the metal can withstand before the tool becomes permanently distorted in shape. In marking tools the ability of the tool steel to maintain its integrity and its resiliency is critical. It represents the ability of the steel stamps to mark with precision over a long lasting service life for more intensive applications. These typically involve increased tensile strength metals such as stainless steel.
The heat treat temperature for D-2 air hardening tool steel is 1600-1650 °F and it is has a hardness of Rockwell 60c-62c. It has high resistance to wear and tear with reduced distortion. It is ideal for tools that must have long lasting durability. It includes the following elements:
- Carbon 1.55 %
- Chromium 12.00%
- Molybdenum 0.80%
- Vanadium 0.90%
The high level of chrome (12%) along with the high volume of high carbides in the steel matrix makes this tool steel strongly impervious to abrasion and deterioration. It is offers dimensional integrity or stability and has high compressive strength or is not easily crushed by pushing forces.
D-2 steel has a high level of carbon for strength and hardness. The very high level of chrome greatly improves its hardenability, toughness and resistance to wear. The molybdenum increases the deep hardening nature of the steel and helps to cut down on the costs, being less expensive then tungsten. The vanadium improves the overall quality of the steel’s carbide structure and develops its forgeability.
Illinois Engraving Provides Superb Workmanship
Regardless of the size of your operation, Illinois Engraving is competent to handle your individual needs. Our workmanship is superb, with acute attention to detail in every step of the process of creating your steel stamps. We use your drawing, CAD-CAM file, graphics file, sample or specification to accurately reproduce your logo or any character style. Please call us today at 1-800-528-2050 to order your custom steel stamps.
Contact Illinois Engraving & Mfg. Co.
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