8. Conclusion

Tool steels are mainly produced using the electric process, which has replaced the original melting methods of crucible and induction furnace melting. The ingot route is mainly used in this sector, as continuous casting has not developed as rapidly as hoped due to the internal fragility of the products produced by this technique. Significant improvements in ingot structure have been achieved by ingot stirring, germ inoculation during casting and consumable electrode remelting techniques, both vacuum and slag. Many large-scale cast tools are used in forging and extrusion, as well as in sheet metal processing and rolling mills. Powder metallurgy has also developed strongly to produce highly wear-resistant tools for cutting and cold working.

Tool steel ingots are hot-worked by forging or rolling into semi-finished products such as flat bars and wide flats, from which...