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Tool steel refers to a family of carbon and alloy steels that are specially formulated for making tools. These steels are designed to be hardenable through heat treatment and to retain a sharp edge, resist wear, and perform under elevated temperatures. They are used to manufacture cutting, forming, and measuring tools, dies, molds, and wear-resistant parts.

Tool steels are typically categorized by their alloy content and heat-treatment behavior. Common groups include water-hardening (W-series), oil-hardening (O- and A-series), air-hardening (D-series and related grades), high-speed steels (M, T, and related grades), and powder-metallurgy tool steels. Each group offers a different balance of hardness, toughness, and heat resistance tailored to specific applications.

Properties vary by grade, but many tool steels achieve hardness in the range of 60–67 HRC after quenching and tempering. Chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten improve wear resistance; cobalt can enhance hot hardness; carbon affects the core hardness and strength. Grade selection also considers toughness and ease of machining.

Production and heat treatment involve shaping the steel, hardening by quenching (in oil, water, or air), and tempering to achieve the desired hardness and toughness. Some grades use specialized processing, such as powder metallurgy, to refine grain structure and improve wear resistance. Surface treatments like nitriding or carburizing can further extend tool life.

Common applications include drills, milling cutters, turning tools, punches, dies, and molding or extrusion tools. Tool steels are chosen to balance hardness, toughness, and thermal stability for the intended tool life and operating conditions.