The materials for tools and die components Include various kinds of types. Most of them are listed below.
Cemented Carbide(WC, HM)
Cemented Carbide is a kind of Hard Metal. It can be regarded as the hardest steel material in maching. it includes tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, or tantalum carbide. tungsten carbide is mostly used in making cutting punches and die inserts for stamping dies and tools.
Carbide’s hardness is around 87~95 HRA.
Most of the used Carbide materials are WC, 100826, 10078, H40S, FD15, RG3, V30, TSM30, CD650, BC200; RD30, RD50, D60, KD20, 100-1224, 100-1205, HM; CF-S12ZM CF-S18Z, TR05C, EF10.
Powder Metal Steel (PM Steel)
Powder Metal Steel, or called Powder Metallurgy, or Powder Metal High-Speed Steel is a high-hardness steel that is just lower than the Tungsten Carbide material.
PM steel sometimes is used as a substitute for carbide used to make punches and dies for stamping tools.
PM steel’s hardness can be 65~70 HRC.
Most of the used PM steel is ASP60, CPM 76, and SKH40.
High-Speed Steel(HSS)
High-Speed Steel is also a very hard steel material. It is also sometimes used in mold parts. it is also called powder high-speed steel.
HSS’s hardness is around 62~65 HRC.
Most of the used high-speed steel materials are HSS, SKH9, SKH-51, 1.3343, 1.3344, DRM3, M2, 100-97, 100-1090, M2, ASP23.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is mostly used in precision mold parts machining. There are many models and types. For example, 316 Stainless Steel, 304 Stainless Steel, 420 Stainless Steel, 440 Stainless Steel, 440A Stainless Steel, etc.
Most of the used tool steel materials are DC53, SKD11, SKD61, 100-40, 1.2436, CR12, 100-99. D2, 1.2379, 1.2210, 1.7131, S45C, C45, C40, SLD, XW42, ASSA888. etc.
There are also some other steel materials and sayings, for example:
Bearing Steel: SUJ2, 1.2067, 1.3505.
Spring Steel: 65MN, 1074, 1075, 1095, 45SCD6, 1.1269.
Oil Steel: SKS3, 1.2842.
Pre-Hardened Steel: NAK80, NAK55, Toolex 44, P20.
Cold Stamping Steel, Hot Stamping Steel or Plastic Injection Mold Steel, etc.
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Alloy is also a kind of hard material that is sometimes used as mold parts.
Most of the used aluminum alloy materials are AL, 6061, 7075, 5052, AU4G.
Brass/Bronze Alloy
Brass/Bronze alloy material sometimes is used as mold parts, automation system components, or fixtures in the mold production process.
Most of the brass or brass alloy materials are C117; Moldmax HH; Messing Brass.
Titanium alloy
Titanium alloy material like TC9.
Plastic
There are some plastic materials such Bakelite, POM, Resin used in some kinds of mold parts.