Tool Steel Casting Alloys

Tool steels consist of carbon and alloy steels typically used for investment casting tools. These alloys are known for their high hardness, wear resistance and abrasion resistance but do not provide corrosion resistance. Tool steels include several different groups of alloys, each providing different levels of strength, surface hardness, toughness, working temperature and shock resistance.

Precision Tool Steel Investment Casting

Engineered Precision Casting Company, Inc. pours tool steel amongst 75 other alloys for precision investment casting. The investment casting process allows for tight tolerances, intricate coring, and provides a smooth surface finish (125 RMS). It is ideal for complex designs and is capable of producing short runs through rapid prototyping.

Our foundry runs separate lines for air melting ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, maximizing efficiency and throughput. Our capabilities include pouring investment cast parts up to 16 x 16 in. and weighing up to 80 lbs. We also offer secondary and support services and provide assistance for selecting the correct alloy for your tool steel investment casting project.

A-Grade Tool Steel Alloys

Air hardening, all-purpose tool steel with an increased chromium content. Provides good machinability, toughness and wear resistance. We offer the following A-grade tool steels for investment casting: 

• A-2

D-Grade Tool Steel Casting Alloys

An air hardening tool steel with a high chromium and carbon content for abrasion resistance. These tool steel alloys retain their hardness at high temperatures and are ideal for investment casting cutting tools and dies. We provide the following grades of D-grade tool steels: 

• D-2
• D-7

H-Grade Tool Steel Casting Alloys

Hot working tool steel with low carbon content and a chromium base. Provides hardness, abrasion resistance and ability to withstand high pressure applications. We provide the following H-grade tool steels for precision investment casting: 

• H-13

S-Grade Tool Steel Casting Alloys

Have a low carbon content and resist shock at low and high temperatures. S-grade tool steels also have high impact resistance but do not provide as much abrasion resistance as other grades. 

• S-1
• S-7

Selecting a Tool Steel for Your Investment Casting Project

Application is the primary consideration in selecting an alloy for your investment casting project. Material selection is especially important for tools and dies, which must withstand high volumes of cutting, coining, molding, pressing and extruding. Properties to consider when deciding on a tool steel alloy for precision investment casting include: 

• Shock resistance
• Hardness
• Corrosion resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• Working temperature
• Weldability

Contact Us to Learn More About Tool Steel Investment Casting Alloys

We provide investment casting using a range of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys including tool steel, stainless steel, nickel-base alloys, and more. Contact us to discuss your tool steel casting project requirements and learn more about our investment casting solutions.