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Tool
steel welding encompasses a variety of distinct applications: •
Repairs and alterations of dies and tools. •
Joining of dissimilar steels. •
Resurfacing existing dies and tools. •
Producing composite tools or dies by using mild, medium carbon or
low alloyed steels as a base and welding on
tool steel to form the cutting edges or working areas.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WELDING
OF TOOL STEELS 1. If
possible, identify tool steel type and its alloying composition.
2. Find out hardness and tempered condition of
tool. 3. Fundamental to all
tool and die welding is sound weld preparation.
a. Welding
must be done in an area that is free of drafts.
b. Base
metal must be clean and all sharp corners and edges removed.
c. Avoid
vee grooves and sharp corners where tension cracks can originate.
d.
Grind out all cracks completely. 4.
Select the proper All-State Tool Steel Electrode. When applying the
first passes, we recommend the use of a striker
plate to establish the arc, before pulling it over to the base metal. Generally,
build-up is not necessary but if needed
one or two layers of All-State® 275 are
recommended. 5. Slowly
and uniformly preheat tools to correct temperature observing the following temperature
ranges for flux coated electrodes; reduce
temperature up to 200°F for TIG rods.
Water hardening 210°-480°F
(99°-249°C)
Oil hardening 210°-570°F
(99°-299°C)
Air hardening (A2-A6) 300°-480°F
(149°-249°C)
Air hardening (D2-D5) 750°-930°F
(399°-499°C)
High C, high Cr types 750°-930°F
(399°-499°C)
Hot work 390°-750°F
(199°-399°C)
High speed 750°-930°F
(399°-499°C)
