Hot work tool steels applied in hot forming processes such as die casting, forging or extrusion may be damaged on multiple and complex occasions. Damages may arise by collective stress factors combining high mechanical strengths, high temperatures and temperature gradients, whereas the individual stress factors dependent on process type and processing exert variably strong effects on the material.
Material hardness, material strength, toughness, ductility and thermal conductivity are vital hot work tool steel properties when it comes to damage mechanisms to be avoided or delayed.

Hot wear resistance, hot toughness, hot strength, retention of hardness, thermal shock resistance as well as thermal conductivity are characterized not only by the compostion of the hot work tool steel but are metallurgical features regulated during the melting and re-melting process. Our experience and on-going research lead to the continuous improvement of the metallurgical properties.