Tools for hot forming processes require fracture resistance, hot wear resistance and resistance to thermal fatigue. Tempered 3% and 5% CrMoV steels with a hardness of approximately 35 to 55 HRC fulfil these requirements perfectly. Particularly highly stressed tool inserts are also manufactured from maraging steels of the type Fe-18% Ni-Co-Mo-Ti.
Hot‑work tool steels are engineered for extreme thermal and mechanical loads in die casting, forging, hot stamping, and extrusion. Their superior performance is driven by highest purity levels, achieved through advanced remelting technologies such as ESR and VAR, which minimize inclusions and ensure exceptional homogeneity. These steels offer a robust combination of • hot wear resistance • high hardness • compressive strength up to 600 °C • thermal shock resistance • excellent toughnessmaking them ideal for demanding hot‑work environments. Thanks to their stability, durability, and availability in large dimensions, they also perform strongly in selected cold‑work and plastics processing applications. By selecting the right BÖHLER or Uddeholm grade, manufacturers can significantly extend tool life, reduce thermal fatigue and cracking, and achieve a lower cost per produced part. Developed in the dedicated tool steel mills in Kapfenberg (Austria) and Hagfors (Sweden), these high‑performance materials set global benchmarks in hot‑work tooling efficiency, reliability, and tool life.