In our last post, we discussed two of the four different kinds of steel: carbon steel and stainless steel. In today’s post we’ll be talking about tool steel and alloy steel and the various uses for them. And just to mention, if you’re looking for a steel supplier in Phoenix or the Southwest, Arizona Iron Supply has an extensive supply of steel products for all your fabrication and construction needs.

Tool Steel

Tool steels contain tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt, and vanadium in varying amounts, with the purpose of increasing heat resistance and durability. Tool steel is very hard and it is scrape-resistant. It is named tool steel because it is often used to make metal tools, such as stamping, cutting, and mold-making tools, as well as hammers. Its durability and strength also makes it a practical choice for producing cutting and drilling equipment.

Tool steel products can be subcategorized based on shape and application:

• Long/Tubular: bars and rods, rails, wires, angles, pipes, and shapes, and sections. These products are commonly used in the automotive and construction industries.
• Flat: plates, sheets, coils, and strips. These materials are used in the making of automotive parts, appliances, ships, and construction materials.
• Other: valves, fittings, and flanges. These are mainly used as piping materials.

Alloy Steel

Alloy steel contains alloying elements including manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium, copper, chromium, and aluminum in varying amounts. These elements make it possible to alter certain properties of the steel, such as its hardening ability, corrosion resistance, strength, formability, weldability and ductility. The strength and specific properties of alloy steels depends on the concentration of different elements they contain. Alloy steels tend to be cheaper than other kinds of steel and are more responsive to heat and mechanical treatments than carbon steels.

Applications for alloys steel include:

• Pipelines
• Auto parts
• Transformers
• Power generators
• Electric motors
• Mechanical parts
• Turbine blades of jet engines
• Spacecrafts
• Nuclear retractors

Looking for a Steel Supplier in Phoenix?

If you have more questions about any of the different kinds of steel, please give us a call or stop by our well-stocked warehouse. Since 1977, Arizona Iron Supply, located in the City of Phoenix, has provided high-quality ornamental iron, castings, hardware, and steel to the iron fabricators of the Western United States. From a small iron supply house started by John Lewis, the business has grown into the complete supply house that it is today. As a leading steel supplier in Phoenix and the Southwest, our team of experts is ready to help with all your steel-related needs. Come on over and meet us!

Image by Emilian Robert Vicol from Pixabay (5/31/2019)