Carbon tools steels is a class of high-carbon alloys containing from 0.60% to 1.40% carbon. They are obtained by heating and hardening the alloy gland and carbon, which gives steel high hardness and wear resistance. This makes such steels an ideal material for the manufacture of tools, components and components that are subject to severe wear and tear.
One of the main features of carbon tool steels is their hardness. Its score can reach 65 HRC on the Rockwell scale, which makes them an excellent solution for the production of pointed tools such as drills, cutters and cutters. Another important characteristic of tool alloys is their ability to maintain the sharpness of the cutting edge even during prolonged use under extreme conditions. This is especially important in processes involving metal processing, in particular those that require high temperatures for cutting and forming metal.
Due to the absence of alloying additives, they have relatively low corrosion resistance. Therefore, finished products often have additional protective coatings that prevent metal destruction when working in aggressive environments or in conditions of high humidity. However, the absence of alloying additives affects not only physical and mechanical characteristics metal, but also at its cost. Due to the “simple” composition, the price of such alloys remains affordable for almost all industries.
But not all carbon tool steels have the same characteristics. And the quality and productivity of the finished tool directly depend on choosing the right type of material. Let's take a look at two of the most popular types of alloys, their characteristics and applications.
U8A steel belongs to the group of high-quality non-alloy carbon steels. It has high strength and hardness (58 HRC Rockwell), as well as good resistance to wear. It belongs to knife types of alloys. Ideal for the manufacture of percussion and cutting tools, as well as products that require increased wear resistance. It is used for the production of axes, hammers, chisels, chisels, cores, screwdrivers, side cutters and pliers.
U8A steel does not contain alloying additives, so it is easily corroded. To avoid this, a protective coating should be applied to the finished product, as well as regular maintenance should be carried out, in particular, to prevent water droplets from remaining on the instrument after use. Due to their high iron content (more than 97%), U8A steel blades are very difficult to break or damage. They do not require frequent sharpening and keep the cutting edge sharp for a long time. They are not afraid of shocks, vibrations and other dynamic loads.
U10A alloy is a carbon tool steel. Like U8A, it does not contain alloying additives. It has high strength and hardness (up to 63 HRC Rockwell). It is used for the manufacture of tools that do not heat up the cutting edges during operation, in particular, rasps, files, taps, files, spiral drills, saws and saw blades, and cold-forging dies. U10A products are often used in woodworking and plumbing.
The main difference between U8A and U10A steels is the amount of carbon in the material. In the first case, this figure is 0.75-0.84%, in the second case it is 0.95-1.09%. This is evidenced by the figures in the marking of metals (“8" and “10" respectively). Carbon gives alloys strength and hardness, but as these values increase, it reduces plasticity and viscosity.
If you are having trouble choosing the most suitable tool steel for your production, please contact St. Petersburg Precision Alloy Plant. Experienced specialists will select the material that best suits your tasks and, if necessary, produce an alloy to order. Modern equipment for smelting and rolling steels, as well as our own laboratory equipped with the latest instruments, makes it possible to produce any steel grades in the form required by the customer, including cold rolled strip by GOST 21996.
