Tool steel

High hardness and stiffness, abrasion resistant.

Tool steel at a glance
Common grades
O1 · A2 · D2 · H13
Machinability
Tool steels are machined in the annealed state, heat treated to working hardness, then finish-ground on critical features; sequencing that discipline correctly is most of the craft.
Tolerances
±0.025 mm standard on linear dimensions; ±0.010 mm on critical features
Processes
CNC milling, CNC turning and 5-axis machining
Finishes
Heat treatment · Precision grinding · Black oxide · Surface treatments (nitriding, coatings)
Used in
Automotive, Semiconductor
Certification
Mill test certificate (chemistry and mechanical properties) with every lot; EN 10204 3.1 certificates on request

Machining Tool steel

Tool steels are machined in the annealed state, heat treated to working hardness, then finish-ground on critical features; sequencing that discipline correctly is most of the craft. Machining fully hardened stock (55+ HRC) is possible with the right tooling but slow; designing the process around the heat-treat step gives better parts at lower cost.

Each family trades toughness against wear resistance: O1 is the forgiving general-purpose grade, A2 air-hardens with less distortion, D2 maximizes wear life, and H13 keeps its hardness hot. Choosing the right one for the tool's failure mode matters more than maximizing hardness.

We machine, coordinate heat treatment, and grind finished dimensions (holding ±0.025 mm and tighter on ground features) with hardness verified against the drawing.

Common Grades We Machine

  • O1 - Oil-hardening general-purpose grade for gauges, dies and cutting tools; forgiving and economical.
  • A2 - Air-hardening with lower distortion in heat treatment; the step up for precision dies and punches.
  • D2 - High-chromium, high-wear grade for long-run blanking and forming tools.
  • H13 - Hot-work grade for die casting and extrusion tooling that must stay hard at temperature.

Applications by Industry

  • Automotive - stamping punches, forming dies and gauge tooling for production lines.
  • Semiconductor - precision dies, wear components and fixtures supporting precision manufacturing.

Surface Finishing Options

  • Heat treatment - hardening and tempering to the specified HRC, verified and documented.
  • Precision grinding - finished dimensions and fine surface finishes after hardening.
  • Black oxide - mild corrosion protection for tooling in storage and service.
  • Surface treatments (nitriding, coatings) - managed on request for extended tool life.

See our surface finishing services for the full range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you machine tool steel before or after hardening?

Both, in sequence: rough and semi-finish machining annealed, heat treat to working hardness, then grind critical features to final size. This holds tolerance and avoids the cost of hard machining everything.

Which tool steel should I choose?

O1 for general dies and gauges, A2 when heat-treat distortion must be low, D2 for maximum wear life on long production runs, H13 for hot-work tooling. Tell us the tool's failure mode and we'll recommend accordingly.

What hardness can you deliver?

Per grade specification: typically 57–62 HRC for cold-work grades and 44–52 HRC for H13, with hardness testing documented against the drawing.

Precision Tool steel Manufacturing in Singapore

Need complex Tool steel parts manufactured to tight tolerances? Explore our 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining, CNC milling, CNC turning and certified ISO Class 6–8 cleanroom assembly capabilities.

Speak with Our Sales & Engineering Team

Explore how Shine's Singapore precision CNC machining and cleanroom assembly integrate into your global supply chain. We welcome technical consultations, mutual NDAs, and facility audits.

  • Mutual NDA executed within 24 hours
  • ISO 9001:2015 certified & Cyber Essentials mark
  • 24–48h engineering DFM feedback & formal RFQ pricing