Powder Metal Tool Steels

The benefits of powder metallurgy processed steels over cast/wrought steels include:

• Reduced manufacturing costs to the tool producer
• Improved machinability in the annealed condition
  
• Improved grindability in the hardened and tempered condition with no reduction in the abrasion resistance of the finished tool
• Increased toughness of the finished tool
• Greater uniformity of performance from tool to tool
• Less out-of round distortion after heat treating
• Higher alloy content powdered metal tool steels can be made possessing higher wear resistance and improved cutting performance
  
• Improved machinability and grindability result in reduced wear and increased manufacturing productivity. Grinding operations also produce a smoother cutting edge on the finished tool. The machinability of Cincinnati Tool Steel's powdered metal tool steels may be further enhanced through the use of controlled sulfur additions.
• Increased toughness translates to a greater resistance to tool breakage, which is particularly relevant in intermittent cutting operations. Increased toughness also permits a tool to be heat treated to a higher hardness for a desired toughness level, resulting in either longer tool life or higher cutting speeds.