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Steel

Steel

Introduction to Steel

Steel can be a challenging material to machine, requiring robust cutting tools that can withstand high heat, cutting forces, and material hardness. Issues like tool wear, chip control, and surface finish must be carefully managed to maintain machining efficiency and tool life. Harder alloyed and stainless steels add further complexity, increasing the risk of built-up edge (BUE) formation and excessive tool wear.

Exactaform’s high-performance carbide and HSS tools are designed to enhance wear resistance, improve chip evacuation, and optimise cutting speeds—delivering precision, longer tool life, and process stability in demanding automotive, aerospace, and precision engineering applications. Engineered for high-carbon steels, mild steels, and low-carbon steels, these cutting tools ensure efficiency in machining processes while maintaining surface integrity and minimising downtime.

What Tool Groups Can You Use to Machine Steel?

Steel’s high strength and hardness make cutting tool selection crucial for efficient machining and extended tool life.

  • Carbide Tools:
    The preferred choice for machining steel alloys, offering high wear resistance, heat tolerance, and precision in high-speed operations. Optimised for engineering steel, high-alloy steel, and corrosion-resistant applications, these tools enhance machining efficiency.
  • High-Speed Steel (HSS) Tools:
    Suitable for lower-speed machining, prototype work, and operations where carbide tools may not be ideal. Ideal for low-alloy steels, mild steels, and structural steel, they provide durability and stability in various machining environments.

Choosing the right cutting tool ensures improved surface finish, reduced tool wear, and increased productivity, making machining processes more efficient and cost-effective while optimising chip evacuation and tool longevity.

What Would You Use Steel as a Material For?

Steel is a widely utilised material in the automotive industry for critical structural and mechanical components. With its high-strength steel composition and exceptional mechanical properties, it plays a crucial role in various applications.

Automotive Applications

Steel’s high tensile strength and fatigue durability make it a key material in:

  • Steering Systems:
    Providing rigidity and reliability for vehicle control.
  • Drive Shafts:
    Ensuring efficient torque transmission and mechanical performance.
  • Chassis & Structural Components:
    Enhancing crash resistance and durability.

The production of steel for these applications involves refining raw materials like iron and carbon to create an alloy of iron with optimised strength and resilience. At Exactaform, we understand that machining these grades of steel - from crude steel to high-performance chromium-iron alloys - requires cutting tools engineered for precision, efficiency, and durability.

Due to its versatility, machinability, and strength, steel remains a core material for industries demanding high-performance, long-lasting components. It is also widely used in industrial and engineering applications, including:

  • Electrical Steel:
    Essential for motors and transformers due to its magnetic properties and metal surface conductivity.
  • Cast Iron & Low-Alloy Steels:
    Applied in moist and acidic environments for enhanced corrosion resistance.
  • Corrosion-Resistant Steels:
    Used in marine, chemical, and aerospace industries for their durability and strength.

Exactaform’s high-performance carbide and HSS cutting tools are designed to handle the complexities of modern steels, ensuring efficient chip evacuation, extended tool life, and optimal cutting speeds for precision machining. Whether working with tool steel, blister steel, or advanced steel products, our solutions support the modern steel industry by delivering reliable results across a wide range of applications.

With expertise in machining everything from base metal to hardened steel, Exactaform’s cutting tools ensure maximum productivity, longevity, and precision—helping industries achieve superior performance when working with any form of steel.

Why Would You Choose Steel? What Are Its Properties?

Steel is a high-strength, durable, and adaptable material, making it essential for structural, automotive, and high-performance engineering applications.

Types of Steel

  • Carbon Steel:
    A strong and cost-effective option, widely used for automotive and general engineering applications.
  • Alloy Steel:
    Enhanced with elements like chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum to improve toughness, fatigue resistance, and strength under extreme conditions.
  • Stainless Steel:
    Provides excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications.

Key Properties of Steel

  • Hardness & Toughness:
    Resistant to wear, impact, and deformation under stress.
  • Tensile & Yield Strength:
    Withstands heavy loads without permanent deformation or failure.
  • Fatigue Resistance:
    Maintains structural integrity under repeated loading and stress.
  • Malleability & Ductility:
    Can be shaped and formed while retaining strength.
  • Corrosion Resistance:
    Stainless steel resists rust and oxidation, ensuring longevity.

Steel’s various grades, including high-carbon steels, low-carbon steels, and high-alloy special steels, offer excellent performance across multiple industries, ensuring durability and efficiency in even the most demanding environments.

Bespoke Tooling Solutions for Steel

Exactaform provides custom carbide and HSS tooling solutions for machining steel, including drills, mills, reamers, and countersinks, optimised for high wear resistance, precision cutting, and increased tool longevity.

Why Choose Exactaform for Machining Steel?

With over 45 years of expertise, Exactaform delivers high-performance carbide and HSS tooling for steel machining. Our technical team provides expert guidance to ensure precision, efficiency, and durability in demanding industrial applications.

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