Tool Steels

Tool Steels for Australian Toolmaking, Die Manufacture and Industrial Applications

Tool steels are the high-performance alloy steels used to manufacture the cutting tools, dies, moulds, and high-wear industrial components that produce the rest of manufactured products. Each tool steel grade balances specific properties — hardness, toughness, wear resistance, dimensional stability under heat treatment — to suit specific applications. For Australian toolmakers, die makers, and industrial manufacturers producing or replacing tooling and high-wear components, the right tool steel matched to the application is essential. AIMS Industrial supplies tool steels for trade and industrial customers across Australia.

The tool steel grades we stock

• A2 (air hardening) — general-purpose cold-work tool steel; good wear resistance with reasonable toughness; the everyday die steel
• D2 (high-chromium) — high wear resistance for blanking dies, forming dies, and abrasive applications
• O1 (oil hardening) — economical general tool steel; suits hand-finishing tools, jigs, and fixtures
• P20 (pre-hardened) — supplied pre-hardened to 28-32 HRC for plastic injection moulds
• S7 (shock-resistant) — high impact toughness for chisels, punches, and impact tooling
• H13 (hot-work) — for tooling exposed to elevated temperature: extrusion dies, die-casting tooling, hot-forging dies
• M2 (high-speed) — for cutting tools requiring red-hardness; alternative to HSS in custom toolmaking
• 4140 / 4340 (alloy steels) — pre-hardened alloy steels for shafts, gears, and general machine components

Choosing the right tool steel

• Cold-work cutting and forming dies — A2 (general), D2 (high wear), O1 (economical)
• Plastic injection moulds — P20 (pre-hardened, machinable)
• Impact tooling and shock applications — S7 (high toughness)
• Hot-work tooling — H13 (hot-work specific)
• Cutting tools (custom toolmaking) — M2 (high-speed steel)
• Machine components and shafts — 4140, 4340 (pre-hardened alloy)

Heat treatment considerations

Most tool steels require heat treatment after machining to develop their final hardness and properties. Different grades use different hardening processes:

• Air hardening (A2, D2, S7, H13) — heat to austenitising temperature, cool in still air; minimal distortion
• Oil hardening (O1) — quench in oil after austenitising; some distortion typical
• Pre-hardened (P20, 4140 PHT) — supplied at working hardness; no further heat treatment required

Get tool steel heat-treated by a competent commercial heat treater for production work — the equipment, expertise, and process control required for consistent results is significant. For quick prototype work, in-house oven heat treatment is possible for some grades.

Where tool steels earn their place

• Punch and die manufacture — blanking, piercing, forming, drawing dies
• Plastic and rubber moulds — injection moulds, compression moulds, cavity tooling
• Cutting tools — custom blades, knives, shear blades, and specialised cutters
• Wear components — abrasion-resistant industrial parts
• Fixtures and jigs — toolroom fixtures requiring dimensional stability
• Impact tools — chisels, punches, and percussion tools

Available formats

Tool steels are stocked in standard formats: round bar (turned and ground or as-rolled), flat bar (precision-ground or as-rolled), square bar, and plate. Pre-hardened grades are typically supplied at working hardness; air-hardening and oil-hardening grades are typically supplied annealed (soft) for machining, then heat-treated after roughing. Match the format to the application requirement.

Brands and sourcing at AIMS

Tool steels are stocked from quality steel manufacturers covering the standard grades and formats. For specialty grades, large quantities, or specific surface finishes, sourcing through our Australian distribution channels covers most requirements within reasonable lead times.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Tool steels sit alongside our broader engineering material and toolmaking range — see measuring tools, milling inserts, parting and grooving tooling, and tool holder accessories for the related products.

Need help selecting tool steel grade for specific tooling, mould, or wear application? contact our team — we'll match grade, format, and heat treatment requirements to your work.