There are many hardware tools on the market, but most consumers know very little about the materials and processing techniques of hardware tools. However, material and process are the key factors that affect tools, and different tools have different requirements for material and processing technology. Today, let’s take a look at the commonly used materials and processing technologies for hardware tools.
Common Materials for Hardware Tools
Steel: The majority of hardware tools are made of steel.
Steel can be divided into carbon steel and alloy steel according to its chemical composition.
1. Carbon steel
Carbon structural steel is mainly used to manufacture various engineering components (such as bridges, ships, and buildings) and machine parts (such as gears, shafts, and connecting rods).
Carbon tool steel is mainly used to manufacture various cutting tools, measuring tools, molds, and hardware tools, and generally belongs to high carbon steel. The steel grade of carbon tool steel is represented by “T”, for example, T7 represents carbon alloy tool steel with a carbon content of 0.7%. High quality carbon tool steel, represented by adding “A” after the number, such as “T7 A”.
2. Alloy steel
Alloy steel can achieve mechanical properties that are difficult for carbon steel to achieve.
Chromium: increases the hardenability of steel and improves wear resistance and hardness.
Vanadium: It makes a great contribution to improving the hardness, wear resistance, and toughness of steel, especially in enhancing the wear resistance of steel.
Molybdenum: can improve the hardenability and tempering stability of steel, refine the grain size, improve the unevenness of carbides, and thus enhance the strength and toughness of steel.
