6 features of a cold work steel and its uses

 In terms of metallurgy, cold work steel can be defined as a metalworking procedure in which a metal is reshaped below its re-crystallization temperature. Procedures like these are directly in contrast with hot work steel mechanisms such as – forging, welding or rolling etc. Cold work helps in increasing the strength of metals as well as making its physical properties better by giving it a new shape and size without using heat. It also allows metal deformation. Due to the procedure that the metals undergo later when they are given hydraulic or mechanical pressure, a defect is naturally formed within the metal. As a consequence, crystal size is reduced it also allows the metal to be moulded into desired shape and size. Other than these, Tool Steel Suppliers suggest using cold work steel for various other reasons. There are also multiple uses of cold work steel across various industries. 

1. Better surface finish – Hot work steel bars always finished manufacturing at higher temperatures. Therefore, the surface has quite hard abrasive scale which is made up of varieties of oxides of iron. The scale is hard in this case and the abrasion level varies between 270 and 1030 DPH. This level also depends upon the type of oxide that is formed. Cold drawing the bars include a few other steps. Cold finishers have to remove the scale by using either acid pickling or shot blasting. This helps in easy removal of hard abrasive scale. Excellent surface finish is achieved in cold work steel because there is no oxidation involved in cold working of metals.

2. Increased strength – Cold working strain can change properties of metals by a great degree. The metal is subjected to a mechanical stress during the process of cold working brings certain change in the metal. One of those is the permanent change of the crystalline structure of the metal. This causes increase in strength in the metal. After the cold working procedure, the permanent change in the metal reduces the ability of crystals to move inside the metal structure. Hence, the metal generates resistance against further deformation. The strength created in cold work steel allows it to be used across various industries. 

3. Controlled concentricity and dimensional endurance – Tool Steel Suppliers explain that cold work steel has to be cooled down at room temperature and then further annealed into its final shape. This gives the steel more exact dimensional tolerance and much wider range of surface finish. Concentricity of cold work steel is naturally improved by cold drawing operations. This type of steel yields comparatively more benefits compared to other types. It increases tensile strength and yields, thereby reducing the extra cost of undergoing thermal treatment. It also removes imperfections on the surface. 

4. Improved machinability – This simply means that less force or pressure can be applied on the tool and more on the productivity and tool life. Due to the benefits of controlled concentricity and dimensional endurance, the bars can function easily at high speeds without any harmful vibration. Increased straightness also allows cold work steel to have less runouts and gives excellent speed in production. 

5. Improved straightness – Straightness in bars gets reduced due to manhandling during loading or unloading. However, cold work steel exhibits great strength and reduces chances of losing that ability. 

6. Ductility – As opposed to other features of cold work steel, ductility is reduced as cold working increases. 

7. Uses – Cold work steel can be used for broaches, gages, piercing and drawing dies, blanking, shears, lathe centers, reamers, taps, threading dies etc. It is also widely used in construction – pipes, beams, floor covering, studs etc.

Tool steel suppliers suggest using cold work steel for its plenty of benefits and affordable price.