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OHNS Die Steel: Composition, Properties, and Uses

Imagine a material that combines remarkable hardness, outstanding wear resistance, and the ability to withstand high-stress conditions without compromising its integrity. This isn’t a figment of an engineer’s imagination but a reality in the form of OHNS Die Steel. Designed specifically for the demanding world of tool and die manufacturing, OHNS Die Steel stands out due to its unique chemical composition and superior mechanical properties. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of OHNS Die Steel, exploring its composition, mechanical properties, and diverse applications in various manufacturing processes. By the end, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of why this material is a preferred choice for industry professionals. Ready to uncover the secrets behind OHNS Die Steel’s exceptional performance? Let’s dive in.

Chemical Composition of OHNS Die Steel

OHNS Die Steel, also known as AISI O1 tool steel, is valued for its well-balanced chemical composition that enhances hardness, strength, and wear resistance. Understanding the specific elements and their roles is essential for utilizing this material effectively in tool and die manufacturing.

Key Elements in OHNS Die Steel

Carbon (C)

Carbon content in OHNS Die Steel typically ranges from 0.85% to 1.00%. This element is crucial as it significantly enhances the hardness and strength of the steel. Higher carbon levels boost wear resistance, making this steel ideal for precision tools.

Silicon (Si)

Silicon is present in the range of 0.15% to 0.40%. It acts as a deoxidizing agent during the steelmaking process, which improves the quality and strength of the steel. Silicon helps to remove oxygen bubbles trapped within the molten steel, resulting in a more homogeneous and ductile final product.

Manganese (Mn)

Manganese content ranges from 1.00% to 1.30%. This element enhances the hardenability and tensile strength of the steel. Manganese also contributes to the steel’s ability to withstand impact and abrasive conditions, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Chromium (Cr)

Chromium is present in amounts ranging from 0.50% to 0.70%. Chromium boosts the steel’s hardenability and corrosion resistance, enhancing its durability and longevity, especially in high-stress environments.

Tungsten (W)

Tungsten content in OHNS Die Steel ranges from 0.50% to 0.70%. Tungsten enhances the high-temperature strength and hardness of the steel. It is crucial for applications that require the steel to maintain its properties under extreme temperatures.

Vanadium (V)

Vanadium is typically around 0.15%. This element contributes to the steel’s strength, toughness, and wear resistance. Vanadium also plays a role in refining the grain structure of the steel, which helps in achieving better mechanical properties.

Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S)

Phosphorus and sulfur are kept to minimal levels (phosphorus max 0.015%, sulfur max 0.010%) to improve machinability and reduce brittleness. Keeping these elements at low levels ensures the steel remains tough and durable.

Impact of Chemical Composition on Properties

The specific combination of these elements in OHNS Die Steel results in a material that is highly versatile for tool and die applications. The balanced composition ensures that the steel can achieve high hardness levels after heat treatment, while maintaining good toughness and wear resistance. This makes OHNS Die Steel a reliable choice for manufacturing tools that require precision and durability.

Mechanical Properties of OHNS Die Steel

Mechanical Properties of OHNS Die Steel

OHNS Die Steel is renowned for its impressive hardness, a crucial property for tool steels used in demanding applications. After undergoing proper heat treatment, OHNS Die Steel can achieve a Rockwell hardness of up to HRC 65. This high hardness level ensures that tools made from this steel can withstand significant wear and maintain sharp cutting edges over extended periods of use. The ability to retain hardness even after repeated use makes it ideal for precision tools and dies.

The tensile strength of OHNS Die Steel is another essential mechanical property. It measures the highest stress the steel can endure before breaking when stretched or pulled. OHNS Die Steel exhibits a maximum tensile strength of approximately 950 N/mm². This high tensile strength means that the steel can endure substantial forces without fracturing, making it suitable for applications that involve heavy loads and high-impact conditions.

Yield strength, the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically, is around 465 N/mm² for OHNS Die Steel, indicating the maximum stress the steel can withstand without permanent deformation. A high yield strength ensures that tools and dies maintain their shape and functionality under significant stress, which is particularly important in precision manufacturing processes.

Elongation measures how much a material can stretch before breaking. OHNS Die Steel has about 10% elongation, offering flexibility and ductility. This property is beneficial in applications where the steel must absorb energy or undergo slight deformation without fracturing. The balance between hardness and elongation ensures that OHNS Die Steel can handle dynamic loads and resist cracking.

Impact strength, or toughness, is the ability of a material to absorb energy and resist fracture when subjected to sudden impacts. OHNS Die Steel has an impact strength of approximately 25 joules. This property is vital for tools and dies that experience frequent impacts or shocks during operation. High impact strength ensures that the steel can withstand sudden forces without breaking, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the tools.

Thermal conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat. OHNS Die Steel has good thermal conductivity, ranging from 31.1 to 33.4 W/(m*K) depending on the temperature. This property is essential in machining and tooling applications because it helps dissipate heat generated during cutting or forming processes. Efficient heat dissipation prevents overheating, which can cause thermal damage and reduce the tool’s lifespan.

The density of OHNS Die Steel is about 7.81 g/cm³, indicating its mass per unit volume. This balanced density provides a good compromise between strength and weight, contributing to the material’s robustness and stability. The density of OHNS Die Steel ensures that tools and dies made from this material are both strong and durable.

Applications of OHNS Die Steel in Tool and Die Manufacturing

Tooling Applications

Blanking and Stamping Dies

OHNS die steel is widely used to make blanking and stamping dies. These dies are essential for precision cutting and shaping operations in manufacturing. The high hardness and wear resistance of OHNS steel ensure that the dies maintain sharp cutting edges and withstand repetitive impacts, which is crucial for producing consistent and accurate parts.

Punches and Rotary Shear Blades

OHNS die steel’s exceptional toughness and wear resistance make it ideal for high-stress applications such as punches and rotary shear blades. These tools cut and shear thick materials, and OHNS steel’s ability to retain hardness under heavy loads ensures long-lasting effectiveness, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Thread Cutting Tools, Milling Cutters, and Reamers

The high hardness and stability of OHNS die steel make it ideal for making thread cutting tools, milling cutters, and reamers. These tools require precise edges and resistance to wear to maintain their performance. OHNS steel’s properties ensure that these tools can produce accurate threads, cuts, and bores, which is vital for maintaining tight tolerances in machining processes.

Die Manufacturing Applications

Forming and Drawing Dies

OHNS die steel is used to make forming and drawing dies, which shape metal sheets through bending, stretching, and compressing. The high tensile strength and toughness of OHNS steel enable it to withstand the significant forces involved in these processes without deforming or cracking.

Extrusion Dies

OHNS die steel is also employed in the production of extrusion dies. These dies shape materials by forcing them through a die opening, creating long, continuous shapes with a consistent cross-section. The steel’s wear resistance and hardness ensure that the dies can handle the abrasive nature of the extrusion process, providing longevity and maintaining the quality of the extruded products.

Machining Applications

Cutting Tools

OHNS die steel is a preferred material for various cutting tools, including drills, taps, and saw blades. Its ability to maintain sharp edges and resist wear is crucial for efficient cutting operations. The steel’s thermal conductivity also helps in dissipating heat generated during cutting, reducing the risk of thermal damage and extending the tool’s life.

Measuring and Gauging Tools

The precision and stability of OHNS die steel make it ideal for manufacturing measuring and gauging tools. These tools require high accuracy and resistance to wear to provide reliable measurements over time. OHNS steel’s properties ensure that these tools remain accurate and durable, which is essential for quality control in manufacturing processes.

Specialized Tooling Applications

Woodworking Tools

OHNS die steel is used in the production of woodworking tools such as chisels, planer blades, and carving tools. The steel’s ability to maintain sharp edges and resist wear ensures that these tools can handle the demands of woodworking, providing clean cuts and detailed finishes.

Broaches and Chasers

Broaches and chasers, used for precision metal shaping and threading, benefit from the high hardness and wear resistance of OHNS die steel. These tools require exacting performance to create precise shapes and threads, and OHNS steel’s properties ensure consistent results and extended tool life.

Industrial Applications

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, OHNS die steel is used to make engine parts, gears, and transmission components. Its high strength and wear resistance ensure these parts are durable and reliable under automotive stresses.

Aerospace Industry

OHNS die steel’s ability to maintain its properties at high temperatures and under stress makes it suitable for aerospace applications. It is used in the production of components that require high precision and durability, such as turbine blades, structural parts, and fastening elements.

Construction Industry

The construction industry utilizes OHNS die steel for manufacturing load-bearing components and wear-resistant tools. The steel’s toughness and corrosion resistance make it ideal for applications in harsh environments, ensuring the longevity and reliability of construction tools and components.

Oil and Gas Industry

In the oil and gas industry, OHNS die steel is used for drilling tools and components that operate in extreme conditions. The steel’s wear resistance and toughness make it suitable for tools that need to endure high pressures, abrasive materials, and corrosive environments, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.

Tooling

Tooling Applications

OHNS Die Steel is widely used in tooling applications because of its high hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. These properties make it an ideal material for precision tools that require durability and longevity under high-stress conditions.

Blanking and Stamping Dies

OHNS Die Steel is extensively used in the production of blanking and stamping dies. These dies are crucial for cutting and shaping sheet metal in manufacturing. The steel’s high hardness ensures that the dies maintain sharp cutting edges, which is essential for producing accurate and consistent parts. Its wear resistance allows these tools to endure repetitive impacts without significant degradation, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and costs.

Punches and Rotary Shear Blades

In high-stress applications such as punches and rotary shear blades, OHNS Die Steel excels due to its toughness and wear resistance. OHNS Die Steel retains hardness and sharpness under heavy loads, ensuring these tools last longer and reducing downtime.

Thread Cutting Tools, Milling Cutters, and Reamers

The high hardness and stability of OHNS Die Steel make it suitable for manufacturing thread cutting tools, milling cutters, and reamers. These tools need precise edges and excellent wear resistance to perform well over time. OHNS Die Steel’s properties ensure that these tools can produce accurate threads, cuts, and bores, which is vital for maintaining tight tolerances in machining processes. The steel’s ability to maintain dimensional stability under stress is particularly beneficial in these high-precision applications.

Specialized Tooling Applications

Woodworking Tools

OHNS Die Steel is also used in the production of woodworking tools such as chisels, planer blades, and carving tools. Its ability to stay sharp and resist wear is essential for clean cuts and detailed finishes in woodworking. These tools often undergo significant wear and tear, and the durability of OHNS Die Steel ensures that they remain effective over extended periods of use.

Broaches and Chasers

Broaches and chasers, used for precision metal shaping and threading, benefit from the high hardness and wear resistance of OHNS Die Steel. These tools require exacting performance to create precise shapes and threads. The properties of OHNS Die Steel ensure consistent results and extended tool life, making it a reliable choice for manufacturers seeking high-quality and durable tooling solutions.

Industrial Tooling Applications

Cutting Tools

OHNS Die Steel is a preferred material for various cutting tools, including drills, taps, and saw blades. Its ability to maintain sharp edges and resist wear is crucial for efficient cutting operations. The steel’s good thermal conductivity also aids in dissipating heat generated during cutting, reducing the risk of thermal damage and extending the tool’s lifespan. This property is particularly important in high-speed machining where excessive heat can degrade tool performance.

Measuring and Gauging Tools

The precision and stability of OHNS Die Steel make it ideal for manufacturing measuring and gauging tools. These tools require high accuracy and resistance to wear to provide reliable measurements over time. OHNS Die Steel’s properties ensure that these tools remain accurate and durable, which is essential for quality control in manufacturing processes. The steel’s ability to withstand wear and maintain dimensional stability contributes to the longevity and reliability of these critical measuring instruments.

Die Manufacturing

Overview of Die Manufacturing with OHNS Die Steel

OHNS Die Steel is a preferred material in die manufacturing due to its exceptional mechanical properties, including high hardness, wear resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. These attributes make it particularly suited for the production of various types of dies used in metal forming and shaping processes.

Types of Dies

Forming Dies

Forming dies shape metal sheets by bending, stretching, and compressing. The high tensile strength and toughness of OHNS Die Steel are crucial because the dies must endure significant forces without deforming or cracking. The steel’s ability to maintain its properties under stress ensures consistent and accurate shapes.

Drawing Dies

Drawing dies reduce the diameter of metal rods, wires, or tubes by drawing them through a die. OHNS Die Steel’s high wear resistance is crucial for enduring the abrasive action of the metal. This property helps maintain the die’s dimensions and surface finish over prolonged use, resulting in high-quality products.

Extrusion Dies

Extrusion dies shape materials by pushing them through a die opening, forming long, continuous shapes with a consistent cross-section. OHNS Die Steel’s hardness and wear resistance are critical in handling the abrasive nature of the extrusion process. The steel’s robustness ensures precise and durable extrusions, making it suitable for high-volume production.

Advantages of Using OHNS Die Steel in Die Manufacturing

Dimensional Stability

OHNS Die Steel offers excellent dimensional stability, ensuring that dies retain their shape and dimensions even after repeated use and exposure to high temperatures. This stability is vital for maintaining the precision and accuracy of the dies, directly impacting the quality of the final products.

Heat Treatment and Hardness

OHNS Die Steel can achieve high hardness levels through heat treatment processes like annealing and quenching. Achieving a Rockwell hardness of up to HRC 65 ensures the dies resist wear and deformation during use. This high hardness level is beneficial in applications involving high-impact forces and repetitive stress.

Wear Resistance

The wear resistance of OHNS Die Steel is another significant advantage in die manufacturing. Dies made from this steel can withstand the abrasive forces encountered during metal forming and shaping processes. This resistance to wear prolongs the life of the dies, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance.

Applications in Various Industries

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, OHNS Die Steel is used to manufacture dies for producing various components such as engine parts, body panels, and structural elements. The steel’s high strength and wear resistance ensure that the dies can handle the rigorous demands of automotive manufacturing, providing durability and reliability.

Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry benefits from OHNS Die Steel’s ability to maintain its properties under extreme conditions. Dies made from this steel are used to produce high-precision components such as turbine blades and structural parts. The steel’s toughness and dimensional stability are essential for ensuring the quality and performance of aerospace components.

Construction Industry

In the construction industry, OHNS Die Steel is used to manufacture dies for producing load-bearing components and tools. The steel’s toughness and corrosion resistance make it suitable for applications in harsh environments, ensuring the longevity and reliability of construction tools and components.

Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry utilizes OHNS Die Steel for manufacturing dies used in the production of drilling tools and components. The steel’s wear resistance and toughness are critical in ensuring that the dies can endure the high pressures, abrasive materials, and corrosive environments encountered in this industry.

Machining

Machining OHNS Die Steel

Machining OHNS Die Steel, known as AISI O1, involves specific techniques and tools to manage its high hardness and toughness effectively.

Pre-Machining Considerations

Before machining OHNS Die Steel, understanding its properties and preparing accordingly is essential. Given its high hardness, it’s crucial to use the right cutting tools and machining parameters to achieve the best results.

  1. Tool Selection:
    • Carbide Tools: Preferred for machining OHNS Die Steel due to their sharp cutting edges and wear resistance.
    • Ceramic and CBN Tools: These tools, especially for finishing operations, offer higher performance.
  2. Coolant Usage:
    • Using a high-quality coolant helps dissipate heat, preventing thermal damage to the tool and workpiece, and aids in chip evacuation, reducing tool clogging and surface damage.
  3. Machining Parameters:
    • Cutting Speed: Lower cutting speeds reduce heat generation and tool wear.
    • Feed Rate: A moderate feed rate balances material removal rate and surface finish quality.
    • Depth of Cut: Shallow depths of cut minimize tool stress and prolong tool life.

Machining Processes

  1. Turning:
    • Rough Turning: Rough turning with carbide inserts efficiently removes material during initial shaping.
    • Finish Turning: Ceramic or CBN inserts provide superior finish and dimensional accuracy.
  2. Milling:
    • Face Milling: Carbide face mills effectively achieve flat surfaces. Climb milling can reduce cutting forces and enhance surface finish.
    • End Milling: Carbide end mills with coatings like TiAlN enhance wear resistance and extend tool life.
  3. Drilling:
    • Carbide Drills: Essential for drilling OHNS Die Steel due to their hardness and wear resistance.
    • Peck Drilling: This technique helps manage chip evacuation and reduces the risk of tool breakage in deep holes.
  4. Grinding:
    • Surface Grinding: Diamond or CBN grinding wheels achieve high-precision surfaces and tight tolerances.
    • Cylindrical Grinding: Ensures consistent diameters and smooth finishes for round components.

Post-Machining Considerations

  1. Heat Treatment:
    • Post-machining heat treatment relieves stresses induced during machining and enhances the hardness and wear resistance of the final component.
    • Stress-Relief Annealing: Performed at around 650°C, this process helps maintain dimensional stability.
  2. Surface Finishing:
    • Polishing and lapping can achieve mirror-like finishes and precise dimensions.
  3. Inspection and Quality Control:
    • Regular inspection using precision measuring tools ensures that machined parts meet required specifications and tolerances.
    • Non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic testing can detect any internal defects that might have occurred during machining.

Manufacturing Applications of OHNS Die Steel

Industrial Applications

OHNS Die Steel is renowned for its versatility and is employed across various industries due to its excellent combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. Its balanced properties make it an ideal choice for high-stress applications.

Metalworking Industry

In the metalworking industry, OHNS Die Steel is widely used for manufacturing cutting tools, molds, and dies. The steel’s high hardness ensures that these tools maintain sharp edges, which is crucial for precision cutting and shaping operations. Its wear resistance extends the operational life of tools, minimizing the need for frequent replacements.

Automotive Industry

The automotive industry utilizes OHNS Die Steel for critical components such as gears, shafts, and engine parts. The high strength, wear resistance, and ability to maintain properties under high temperatures and stress make OHNS Die Steel ideal for critical automotive components in high-performance and heavy-duty vehicles.

Aerospace Industry

OHNS Die Steel is essential in the aerospace industry, where components must endure extreme conditions. Its hardness and toughness make it perfect for turbine blades, structural elements, and other precise, durable parts. The steel’s ability to maintain dimensional stability under high temperatures ensures the reliability and safety of aerospace components.

Construction Industry

In the construction industry, OHNS Die Steel is used for manufacturing load-bearing components and wear-resistant cutting tools. The steel’s toughness and corrosion resistance make it suitable for harsh environmental conditions commonly encountered in construction. This ensures the longevity and reliability of construction tools and components, which are often subjected to heavy loads and abrasive materials.

Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry demands materials that can withstand high pressures, abrasive environments, and corrosive conditions. OHNS Die Steel is used in drilling tools and high-pressure equipment due to its toughness and wear resistance. The steel’s ability to maintain its mechanical properties under such extreme conditions ensures efficient and reliable operations in the extraction and processing of oil and gas.

Tool and Die Manufacturing

OHNS Die Steel is a preferred material for various tooling and die manufacturing applications. Its properties make it suitable for producing high-precision tools and dies that require durability and resistance to wear.

Blanking and Stamping Dies

OHNS Die Steel is extensively used to manufacture blanking and stamping dies, which are essential for cutting and shaping sheet metal. Its high hardness ensures sharp cutting edges, resulting in accurate and consistent parts. The wear resistance allows these tools to endure repetitive impacts without significant degradation, reducing maintenance frequency and costs.

Punches and Rotary Shear Blades

In high-stress applications such as punches and rotary shear blades, OHNS Die Steel excels due to its toughness and wear resistance. These tools must retain hardness and sharpness under heavy loads, ensuring long-lasting effectiveness and reducing downtime.

Thread Cutting Tools, Milling Cutters, and Reamers

The high hardness and stability of OHNS Die Steel make it suitable for manufacturing thread cutting tools, milling cutters, and reamers. These tools need precise edges and excellent wear resistance to perform well over time. The steel’s properties ensure accurate threads, cuts, and bores, maintaining tight tolerances in machining processes.

Specialized Tooling Applications

OHNS Die Steel is also used in specialized tooling applications where precision and durability are critical.

Woodworking Tools

OHNS Die Steel is employed in the production of woodworking tools such as chisels, planer blades, and carving tools. These tools frequently experience significant wear and tear, but the durability and sharpness retention of OHNS Die Steel ensure effective, clean cuts and detailed finishes over extended use.

Broaches and Chasers

Broaches and chasers, used for precision metal shaping and threading, benefit from the high hardness and wear resistance of OHNS Die Steel. These tools require exacting performance to create precise shapes and threads. The properties of OHNS Die Steel ensure consistent results and extended tool life, making it a reliable choice for high-quality and durable tooling solutions.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using OHNS Die Steel in Manufacturing

Material Selection

OHNS Die Steel is essential for manufacturing due to its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and stability; it is important to consider the specific requirements like precision, durability, and deformation resistance.

Design and Machining

Tool Design

Tool design with OHNS Die Steel must carefully consider its properties. Utilize computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed and accurate tool designs that leverage the material’s strengths.

Machining Processes

Machining OHNS Die Steel requires special techniques to handle its hardness and toughness:

  • Turning: Use carbide inserts for rough turning to efficiently remove material, and ceramic or CBN inserts for finish turning to achieve a superior surface finish.
  • Milling: Employ carbide face mills for flat surfaces and carbide end mills with coatings like TiAlN for enhanced wear resistance during end milling operations.
  • Drilling: Utilize carbide drills for their hardness and wear resistance, and adopt peck drilling techniques to manage chip evacuation and reduce tool breakage in deep holes.
  • Grinding: Select diamond or CBN grinding wheels for high-precision surfaces and tight tolerances during surface and cylindrical grinding operations.

Heat Treatment Process

Proper heat treatment is essential for maximizing the mechanical properties of OHNS Die Steel:

Soft Annealing

  • Process: Heat the steel to 750-780°C and allow it to cool slowly in the furnace.
  • Purpose: Soft annealing reduces hardness, making the steel easier to machine.

Stress Relief Annealing

  • Process: Heat the steel to around 650°C and then cool it gradually.
  • Purpose: This process minimizes internal stresses and distortion, ensuring dimensional stability.

Hardening

  • Process: Heat the steel to 780-820°C followed by quenching in oil, air, or a salt bath maintained at 180-220°C.
  • Purpose: Hardening increases the steel’s hardness, enhancing its wear resistance and durability.

Tool Fabrication

Once the OHNS Die Steel has been heat-treated, proceed with the fabrication of tools such as punches, dies, milling cutters, and other precision instruments. Ensure that the machining and finishing processes maintain the steel’s enhanced properties achieved through heat treatment.

Quality Control

Conduct thorough inspections to ensure that the fabricated tools meet the required specifications and tolerances. Use precision measuring instruments and non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic testing to detect any internal defects. Regular inspections help maintain high standards of quality and reliability.

Maintenance

Regular inspections and maintenance of OHNS Die Steel tools ensure their long life and efficiency. Implement a maintenance schedule that includes cleaning, sharpening, and reconditioning of the tools. Proper maintenance ensures continued performance and reduces the risk of unexpected tool failure.

AISI O1 Standard and Compliance

Overview of AISI O1 Standard

AISI O1 tool steel, also called DIN 1.2510, is a popular oil-hardening steel used for cold work applications. It is extensively used in industrial settings due to its excellent machinability, dimensional stability, and high hardenability. These properties make AISI O1 an ideal choice for manufacturing precision tools and components.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of AISI O1 tool steel is meticulously formulated to provide a balanced combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. The typical chemical composition includes:

  • Carbon (C): 0.85 to 1.00%
  • Manganese (Mn): 1.00 to 1.30%
  • Silicon (Si): 0.20 to 0.40%
  • Chromium (Cr): 0.50 to 0.60%
  • Tungsten (W): 0.55 to 0.60%
  • Vanadium (V): ≤0.30%
  • Phosphorus (P): ≤0.015%
  • Sulfur (S): ≤0.010%

Physical and Mechanical Properties

AISI O1 tool steel exhibits a range of properties, including a density of approximately 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), that make it suitable for various industrial applications:

  • Modulus of Elasticity: 214 GPa (31 x 10^6 psi)
  • Thermal Conductivity: Around 33.4 W/(m·K) at 20°C
  • Machinability: 85-90% compared to 1% carbon steel

Heat Treatment

AISI O1 tool steel can be heat-treated to achieve specific mechanical properties:

  • Annealing: Heating to 740-760°C (1364-1400°F) and slow cooling to achieve a hardness of ≤250 HB.
  • Hardening: Heating to 780-820°C (1436-1508°F) followed by oil quenching to reach up to 65 HRC.
  • Tempering: Performed at temperatures between 100-350°C (212-662°F) to reduce brittleness while retaining hardness.

Applications

AISI O1 tool steel is used in many applications, such as:

  • Cold-forming dies: Ideal for high-precision forming operations.
  • Blanking dies: Ensures sharp cutting edges and longevity.
  • Cutting tools: Used for broaches, reamers, and other cutting instruments.
  • Measuring tools: Suitable for plug gauges and other precision measuring devices.
  • Machining tools: Commonly used for collets and lathe centers.
  • Plastic molds: Excellent for creating molds due to its wear resistance.
  • Woodworking tools: Used in saws and knives for its durability and edge retention.

Compliance and Standards

AISI O1 tool steel adheres to multiple international standards, ensuring consistency and reliability in its mechanical and chemical properties. Key standards include:

  • SAE J437 and J438: Covering chemical compositions and mechanical properties.
  • ASTM A681: Specifying requirements for tool steels, including heat treatment and hardness.
  • DIN 1.2510: The German standard that aligns with AISI O1 specifications.

Equivalents

AISI O1 tool steel has several international equivalents, ensuring its consistent quality and performance in global manufacturing processes:

  • DIN 1.2510 (Germany)
  • JIS SKS3 (Japan)
  • AFNOR 90MnWCrV5 (France)

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is the chemical composition of OHNS Die Steel?

OHNS Die Steel, also known as AISI O1, is characterized by its specific chemical composition, which includes the following elements: Carbon (0.85% to 1.00%), essential for achieving the required hardness and strength; Manganese (1.00% to 1.30%), which enhances hardenability and tensile strength; Silicon (0.15% to 0.40%), serving as a deoxidizing agent that improves strength and hardness; Chromium (0.50% to 0.70%), providing corrosion resistance and enhancing hardenability and wear resistance; Tungsten (0.50% to 0.70%), contributing to high-temperature strength and hardness; Phosphorus (maximum of 0.015%) and Sulfur (maximum of 0.010%), both controlled to improve machinability without compromising toughness. Some variations may include Vanadium, typically around 0.15%. This composition makes OHNS Die Steel suitable for tool and die applications due to its high hardness, strength, and wear resistance.

How is OHNS Die Steel used in manufacturing?

OHNS Die Steel, known as Oil Hardening Non-Shrinking Steel, is extensively used in manufacturing due to its excellent hardenability, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. These properties make it ideal for tool and die manufacturing applications. In the production of blanking and stamping dies, OHNS Die Steel maintains sharp edges under heavy loads, enhancing precision and longevity. It is also used for punches and rotary shear blades, which benefit from its high hardness and resistance to deformation.

In the metalworking industry, OHNS Die Steel is used to manufacture cutting tools, molds, and dies that endure high stress and wear. The automotive industry leverages its strength and wear resistance for components like gears and shafts. Additionally, the aerospace industry utilizes OHNS Die Steel for parts that withstand high temperatures and mechanical stress, such as turbine blades. Its wear resistance and toughness are also valuable in the construction and oil and gas industries, where it is used in cutting tools and high-pressure equipment.

What are the mechanical properties of OHNS Die Steel?

OHNS Die Steel, also known as AISI O1 Tool Steel, exhibits several noteworthy mechanical properties that make it suitable for demanding tool and die applications. The steel can achieve a Rockwell hardness of up to HRC 65 after proper heat treatment, ensuring it maintains sharp cutting edges and resists wear effectively. Additionally, it can reach a Brinell hardness of up to 288, emphasizing its high hardness.

The tensile strength of OHNS Die Steel is up to 950 N/mm², allowing it to withstand significant stress without breaking. Its yield strength is approximately 465 N/mm², enabling it to endure substantial stress before permanent deformation occurs. The steel has an elongation at break of about 10%, providing a degree of flexibility before fracturing. Furthermore, the impact energy of OHNS Die Steel is around 25 joules, which helps the steel absorb energy during impacts without fracturing.

In terms of thermal conductivity, OHNS Die Steel ranges between 31.1 and 33.4 W/(m*K), aiding in heat dissipation during machining operations. Its density is approximately 7.81 g/cm³, offering a balance between strength and weight. These mechanical properties collectively contribute to the steel’s effectiveness in various industrial applications, particularly in tooling and die manufacturing.

What are the standard applications of OHNS Die Steel?

OHNS Die Steel, also known as AISI O1 Tool Steel, is predominantly utilized in various tooling and die manufacturing applications due to its excellent mechanical properties such as high hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. Standard applications include blanking and stamping dies, which require maintaining sharp edges and withstanding heavy loads, and punches, which need to resist deformation while retaining sharp edges. Rotary shear blades benefit from the steel’s ability to maintain sharpness over extended use. Additionally, OHNS Die Steel is used in thread cutting tools, milling cutters, and reamers due to its hardness and wear resistance, enhancing tool life. It is also employed in measuring and gauging tools for precision and woodworking tools for their durability and versatility. These applications span across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and oil and gas, where components demand high durability, precision, and resistance to harsh conditions.

How does OHNS Die Steel comply with AISI O1 standards?

OHNS Die Steel complies with AISI O1 standards through its closely matched chemical composition and mechanical properties. Both OHNS Die Steel and AISI O1 contain similar percentages of carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, chromium, and tungsten, ensuring they exhibit equivalent hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and impact strength. This alignment guarantees that OHNS Die Steel meets the stringent requirements set by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) for tool steels. Furthermore, the global recognition of OHNS Die Steel as equivalent to AISI O1, under standards like DIN 1.2510 and JIS SKS3, reinforces its compliance and reliability in tool and die manufacturing applications.

What are the benefits of using OHNS Die Steel in tooling and die manufacturing?

OHNS Die Steel, also known as AISI O1 Tool Steel, offers several benefits in tooling and die manufacturing. Firstly, its high hardness and wear resistance, with achievable Rockwell hardness up to HRC 65 after heat treatment, ensure tools retain their sharpness and durability over time. Additionally, the steel’s oil hardening capability provides excellent dimensional stability and minimal shrinkage during heat treatment, which is critical for precision tooling. OHNS Die Steel also boasts impressive toughness and strength, with a maximum tensile strength of up to 950 N/mm², making it capable of withstanding heavy loads without breaking.

Furthermore, its good thermal conductivity aids in heat dissipation during machining, while its impact strength allows it to absorb energy without fracturing. This steel is versatile, finding applications in various industries such as automotive and aerospace for manufacturing tools like blanking dies and precision cutting tools. Lastly, OHNS Die Steel complies with international standards like AISI O1, ensuring global compatibility and reliability in tooling and die manufacturing.

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