Cold Work Steel - No Minimum Order Value or Quantity

Cold work steel, a steel where the surface working temperature does not exceed 392 °F (200 °C).

The hardness and ductility of cold work steel can be increased by plastic deformation under the crystallization temperature and can be enhanced by choosing ESR material. 


The crystallization temperature is unique to different steel grades. Most steel grades can be cold worked at room temperature and some at more elevated temperatures as their crystallization temperature is a bit higher.
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  1. O1 - DR 13/64" x 36"
    O1 - DR 13/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 13/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $9.78
  2. O1 - 3/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/32"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $9.85
  3. O1 - 1/8" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 1/8" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $9.85
  4. O1 - 3/16" x 1/4" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/16" x 1/4" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/16"
    Width: 1/4"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $9.85
  5. O1 - 5/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 5/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 5/64"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $9.85
  6. 1018 / A36 - CF 1/4" x 36"
    1018 / A36 - CF 1/4" x 36"
    Thickness: 1/4"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $9.95
  7. O1 - DRM 3.0 x 914 mm (36")
    O1 - DRM 3.0 x 914 mm (36")
    Thickness: 3.0 mm
    Length: 914 mm
    Size: Oversize

    $9.95
  8. W1 - DR 13/64" x 36"
    W1 - DR 13/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 13/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.12
  9. O1 - DR 7/32" x 36"
    O1 - DR 7/32" x 36"
    Thickness: 7/32"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.22
  10. 1018 / A36 - CF 1/2" x 18"
    1018 / A36 - CF 1/2" x 18"
    Thickness: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.29
  11. O1 - 3/16" x 5/16" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/16" x 5/16" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/16"
    Width: 5/16"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $10.40
  12. O1 - 3/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/64"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $10.40
  13. A2 - DCF 1/2" x 18"
    A2 - DCF 1/2" x 18"
    Thickness: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.46
  14. O1 - DR 15/64" x 36"
    O1 - DR 15/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 15/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.67
  15. W1 - DR 7/32" x 36"
    W1 - DR 7/32" x 36"
    Thickness: 7/32"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.70
  16. A2 - DR 9/64" x 36"
    A2 - DR 9/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 9/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $10.85
  17. O1 - 1/8" x 5/8" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 1/8" x 5/8" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Width: 5/8"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $10.95
  18. A2 - 1/8" x 1/4" x 18" O/S
    A2 - 1/8" x 1/4" x 18" O/S
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Width: 1/4"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Oversize
    $10.95
  19. O1 - 3/16" x 3/8" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/16" x 3/8" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/16"
    Width: 3/8"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $10.95
  20. O1 - DR 1/4" x 36"
    O1 - DR 1/4" x 36"
    Thickness: 1/4"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.12
  21. W1 - DR 15/64" x 36"
    W1 - DR 15/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 15/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.27
  22. O1 - 9/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 9/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 9/64"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $11.50
  23. O1 - 7/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 7/64" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 7/64"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $11.50
  24. O1 - 5/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 5/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 5/32"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $11.50
  25. O1 - 1/8" x 3/4" x 18" O/S
    O1 - 1/8" x 3/4" x 18" O/S
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Width: 3/4"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Oversize
    $11.50
  26. O1 - 1/16" x 1" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 1/16" x 1" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 1/16"
    Width: 1"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $11.50
  27. 4140 PH / 4142 PH - DR 1/8" x 36"
    4140 PH / 4142 PH - DR 1/8" x 36"
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.52
  28. O1 - DR 17/64" x 36"
    O1 - DR 17/64" x 36"
    Thickness: 17/64"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.57
  29. W1 - DR 1/4" x 36"
    W1 - DR 1/4" x 36"
    Thickness: 1/4"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.85
  30. 1018 / A36 - 1/16" x 1/2" x 24" reg.
    1018 / A36 - 1/16" x 1/2" x 24" reg.
    Thickness: 1/16"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 24"
    Size: Regular
    $11.90
  31. A2 - DR 5/32" x 36"
    A2 - DR 5/32" x 36"
    Thickness: 5/32"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.93
  32. O1 - DCF 1/4" x 36"
    O1 - DCF 1/4" x 36"
    Thickness: 1/4"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $11.95
  33. O1 - DR 9/32" x 36"
    O1 - DR 9/32" x 36"
    Thickness: 9/32"
    Length: 36"
    Size: Oversize

    $12.01
  34. O1 - 1/8" x 3/4" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 1/8" x 3/4" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 1/8"
    Width: 3/4"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $12.05
  35. O1 - 1/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 1/32" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 1/32"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $12.05
  36. O1 - 3/16" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    O1 - 3/16" x 1/2" x 18" reg.
    Thickness: 3/16"
    Width: 1/2"
    Length: 18"
    Size: Regular
    $12.05
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HOW IS COLD WORK STEEL PRODUCED?

The production of cold work steel involves various stages, from the choice of raw material to the final heat treatment to improve its mechanical properties for applications involving cold forming processes such as cutting, forming and shaping.

The process involves:

• Raw material selection
• Melting and adding alloys
• Casting
• Hot rolling
• Annealing
• Cold rolling
• Heat treatment

DISTINCT FROM HOT WORKING

The main difference to hot work steel is the working temperature. Hot work steel is used above the recrystallization temperature and cold work steel is used at and around room temperature.

COLD WORK STEEL VS. HOT WORK STEEL

Cold working steel

Hot working steel

Working temperature is below recrystallization temperature.

Working temperature is above recrystallization temperature.

Maintains its hardness when used at or around room temperature.

Maintains its hardness at high temperatures.

The wear resistance is maintained at low temperatures.

The wear resistance is maintained at high temperatures.

Although cold work steel is harder and more brittle, it still has sufficient toughness for cold forming.

Hot work tool steel retains its toughness at high temperatures to prevent thermal fatigue or cracking under heavy loads.

Less resistant to thermal fatigue. 

Resistant to thermal fatigue.

Resistance to oxidation is not needed due to the working temperatures.

Resistant to oxidation.

Smoother surface, no scaling or oxidation

Rougher surface due to scaling and oxidation

Better dimensional accuracy

Good dimensional accuracy

 

VARIOUS COLD WORKING TECHNIQUES

Cold working or cold forming means the metal is deformed at room temperature or near it without using heat. This can be done by various cold forming processes. Cold working is used when high strength, precision and surface finishes are required.

Following are examples how metal can be cold worked:
Cold rolling


Here metal is passed through two rollers which exert high pressure reducing its thickness.
cold-rolling-cold-work-technique
cold-bending-cold-work-technique

Cold bending


Cold bending is based on physical forces. To form the material the workpiece is shaped by applying mechanical force.

Cold forging


This is done with dies and hammers to shape the metal into a desired form without using heat.
cold-forging-cold-work-technique
cold-peening-cold-work-technique

Cold peening

Shot peening will blast tiny metal balls onto the surface of the material. This leaves a series of tiny compressions on the surface solidifying the surface.

SUMMARY

Cold work steel is designed to be shaped at room temperature without using heat. Cold work tool steels are characterized by their ability to maintain high hardness, wear resistance and dimensional stability under difficult conditions. These steels are subjected to a heat treatment to further improve their hardness and toughness and ensure that they can withstand prolonged use in demanding applications.

• High wear resistance
• High hardness
• Good toughness
• Dimensional stability
• High resistance to fatigue
• Long service life
• Wide range of manufacturing techniques
summary-of-cold-work-steel
The diversity of cold work tool steel allows it to be used in a wide range of industrial applications, from the manufacture of precision tools and dies to the production of durable components in the automotive, aerospace and heavy engineering industries. Its ability to maintain sharpness, withstand deformation and preserve structural integrity under stress makes cold work steels indispensable in numerous high-performance environments.