A1 vs W1 tool steel

[Kinsrow]

Which one of these 2 is superior to the other in term of stability and achieving core hardness. What type of application uses these?

Thanks
Kinsrow

 

[NickE]

The air hardening type A1 would have a better core hardness. (AFAIK). cold working tools are made of A-tool steels. Though we use a lot of A2, CPM10v (A11), some D2, I've just speced an impact part of S7.

I just looked in my reference A1 doesnt really exist.

What type of stability are you asking about?

 

[Kinsrow]

Stability of part's geometry. It is 2"x3/4 x 1/2 with couple small holes.

Thanks
kinsrow

 

[NickE]

the water quenching tool steels have high distortion during hardening and tempering

Nick
I love materials science!