Toolox 46 vs. Traditional Tool Steels: Understanding the Key Differences

For a very long time, traditional tool steels have been the best option for metalworking projects. This is mainly because they come in such a wide variety with each having its own strengths. For instance, high speed tool steels do extremely well at keeping their edge even during high speed machining largely due to their ability to remain hard even when the temperature gets really hot.

Cold work tool steels, on the other hand, remain resistant to wear and tear, and remain strong at room temperature which makes them the favorite material for tools used in stamping and punching metal. There is even a type of cold work tool steel specially designed to resist wear and hold their shape during molding of hot plastic or metal. Selecting the right type of traditional tool steel means striking a balance between matching the steel’s properties and your project requirements.

In recent years, there has emerged a challenger to traditional tool steels – Toolox 46. It is a pre-hardened steel which does not require any heat treatment which gives it a major advantage especially for small or home workshops, as well as projects that have limited access to the type of equipment needed for heat treatment.

Unlike certain traditional tool steels that can be a challenge to machine, Toolox 46 has good machinability. This means that is allows for easier modification and shaping with standard tools. Because it is also suitable for tasks normally associated with cold work tool steels such as punching, forming, and shearing metal, it is considered as a versatile option.

There are some trade-offs, however. Because Toolox 46 comes with a pre-set hardness level, it may not reach the extreme hardness that can be achieved with some heat-treated traditional tool steels. Another important thing to consider is the initial cost of Toolox which is somewhat higher as compared to some of the more traditional options.

Something else that sets Toolox 46 apart from the traditional tool steels is that it often comes with a pre-polished finish. This can be viewed as a major plus for applications that require a tool itself to have a smooth surface. For example, when your project is creating forming tools for delicate sheet metal, having a polished surface on the Toolox can help prevent marks and scratches on the metal during the process of forming.

In the end, whether it is best to use Toolox 46 or traditional tool steels depends on the specific needs of your project. Consider the project’s complexity as simple projects where you require a readily machinable pre-hardened steel, Toolox can be a very good choice. You can also choose to consider surface finish requirements as projects where one of the important requirements is a smooth surface finish on the tool itself, again Toolox with its pre-polished state would fit the bill. Heat treatment capabilities can also be considered as if you have ready access to heat treatment and require a steel that has properties which can be achieved through heat treatment, then a traditional tool steel may be a better option.