What Is S7 Cold Work Steel? Composition, Properties, and Applications Metallurgy Steel

As a variety of cold work tool steel, the S7 variety is an air-hardening and shock-resistant variety that offers optimal wear resistance. This makes it ideal for those applications that need a high level of stress resistance and impact. If you have wondered whether this type of tool steel is ideal for your unique applications, then there are certain aspects that you need to learn about.

The Chemical Properties

Chemically, S7 Steel contains:

• No more than 0.45-0.55% of Carbon (C): The relatively high carbon content offers maximum hardness and strength.
• About 0.20-0.50% of Silicon (Si): It also contributes to the strength and hardening of the metal.
• 0.20-0.80% of Manganese (Mn): It adds to the toughness of the metal.
• 3.00-3.50% of Chromium (Cr): This property contributes to both its wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
• 1.30-1.80% of Molybdenum (Mo): This helps in increasing the toughness of steel.
• 0.15-0.35% of Vanadium (V): It helps enhance the hardenability and wear resistance of the metal.
• No more than 0.030% Phosphorus (P): It is a strong alloying element.
• No more than 0.030% Sulfur (S): To clear the metal of impurities.

The Physical Properties of Steel

Physically, the S7 variety of cold work steel include:

• Hardness: Ranging from 54 to 60 HRC, or Rockwell hardness.
• Toughness: Excellent toughness, making it perfect for maximal resistance to impact and shock.
• Wear resistance: It owes its high wear resistance to its high content of chromium and carbon.
• Dimensional stability: Its unique properties make S7 tool steel retain its size and shape even under high pressure and high stress.
• Machinability: Its fair machinability makes it easy to machine the metal even when in an annealing state.
• Air hardening: The S7 steel can be used in gardens, even when exposed to cool air or even at room temperature. This lessens the possibility of distortion.

The Best Applications

Leading distributors like Kushal Metals recommend this steel variety for:

• Stamping Dies: this is helpful in shaping and cutting steel in various convenient sizes and shapes. Also, its high level of wear resistance and hardness makes it suitable for such applications. As a matter of fact, this steel is also helpful for applications like forming, trimming and blanking that require different types of dies.
• Forging dies: This is helpful in forming and shaping metal, particularly under high pressure and high temperature. This is possible because of its high level of wear resistance and toughness.
• Extrusion dies: They help shape and form metals and plastics under high temperatures and pressure. Its high level of toughness and wear resistance makes it perfect for this application.
• Formation of tools: It helps in the formation of an array of tools, including punches and shear blades. It is also helpful in different moulds and die-casting applications. As an important industrial-grade cold work tool, it helps in manufacturing shear blades, gripper dies, swaging dies, punches and chisels.
• Die casting: It also helps in the die casting of zinc and aluminium. Moreover, it forms in the formation of wear-resistant tools, which are essential for mining and construction activities.

If you need some suggestions for the best choice for your needs, make sure to check with your local service provider.