PRODUCTS – SPECIAL STEELS

Cold work tool steels are particularly hard and wear-resistant tool steels that are used for applications between 20°C and 200°C, such as cutting, punching and bending metals and plastics. Their hardness and edge-holding properties make them ideal for precision tools and applications that require long-lasting sharpness. 

Hot-work tool steels are heat-resistant tool steels designed for applications up to approx. 650°C. They have excellent tempering resistance, high temperature strength and toughness. Hot-work tool steels are used in die forging, die casting, extrusion and other hot forming applications where tools are exposed to high temperatures and mechanical stresses. 

High-speed steels, also known as HSS (high-speed steels), are high-quality tool steels that have been specially developed for applications involving high cutting speeds and temperatures. These steels have exceptionally high hardness, heat resistance and wear resistance. High-speed steels are often used in the machining industry, particularly in the manufacture of drills, milling cutters and cutting tools to enable precise and efficient cutting at high speeds. 

Special materials are not standard materials. They are developed for special applications and have corresponding properties that make them superior to standardized materials. There are therefore special materials with outstanding properties for every steel group. 

Gas atomization of a steel melt produces a fine steel powder. If this powder is pressed in a vacuum-tight steel capsule at approx. 1000°C and 1000 bar, a solid steel body with an extremely fine microstructure is produced. These steels are characterized by exceptional hardness, very good toughness and high wear resistance. Based on the chemical analysis, they can be classified as cold-working or high-speed steels or stainless steels and are used for highly stressed tools. 

Plastic mold steels are special tool steels for the production of molds, mold frames and mold inserts in plastic injection molding. They are generally used in a pre-tempered condition. As the processing of plastics has very different requirements, plastic mold steels also have very different properties. There are corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant plastic mold steels, mold steels with good machinability or good polishability, but also special materials with increased thermal conductivity. 

Nitriding steels are special types of steel that have been developed for nitriding treatment to improve their surface properties. These steels exhibit high hardness and wear resistance, especially on the surface to which they have been subjected to the nitriding process. Nitriding steels are used in special applications in mechanical engineering and toolmaking.  

Stainless steels have a free chromium content of over 12% and are characterized by high corrosion resistance. Alloying elements such as chromium, nickel and molybdenum improve their corrosion resistance. They are widely used in kitchen appliances, medical technology, construction, the chemical industry and shipbuilding, as well as in food processing and pharmaceuticals, where hygiene and corrosion resistance are crucial. Their outstanding properties make them particularly valuable for long-term use in demanding environments.