Tool steel wire is drawn for cold-headed tools, drills, small punches and high-strength pins. We supply A2, D2, H13, O1, M2, DC53 and S7, annealed or pre-hardened, to precise diameters.
What Is Tool Steel Wire?
Tool steel wire is drawn from annealed rod to tight diameter and supplied either soft for cold-heading and machining or pre-hardened for direct use. It is the starting shape for high-volume, small tool components made by heading, threading or grinding.
We keep the main tool grades as wire — A2, D2, H13, O1, M2, DC53 and S7 — and draw to the diameter and tolerance your cold-forming process needs.
Tool Steel Grades Available as Wire
These tool-steel grades are available as wire:
| Grade | Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Cold-work punches, dies, blades |
| D2 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Long-life cutting and forming tools |
| H13 | ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957 | Aluminium & hot-work dies, extrusion |
| O1 | ASTM A681 | Oil-hardening precise tools and gauges |
| M2 | ASTM A600, EN ISO 4957 | General high-speed cutting tools |
| DC53 | JIS G4404, EN ISO 4957 | High-toughness cold-work dies |
| S7 | ASTM A681 | Shock-resisting tools, hot shearing |
Size Range and Tolerances
Wire is drawn from 0.5 mm up to 30 mm. Tolerance class and condition are set per grade:
| Diameter | Tolerance | Condition | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 – 3 mm | h9 | Annealed / Pre-hard | Spools |
| 3 – 10 mm | h10 / h11 | Annealed | Carriers |
| 10 – 30 mm | drawn | Annealed | Bundles |
| Coated | on request | Annealed | Carriers |
Surface Finish and Delivery Condition
Wire delivery conditions:
Soft wire for cold-heading and machining.
Wire supplied at a set hardness for direct use.
Drawn to size and strength for small parts.
Phosphate or copper coating for heading lubrication.
Standards We Supply To
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM A681 | Tool steels |
| ASTM A686 | Tool steel wire (carbon) |
| EN ISO 4957 | Tool steels (European) |
| JIS G4401 | Carbon tool steel |
Physical Properties of Tool Steel
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.7 – 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Elastic modulus (E) | ~210 GPa |
| Shear modulus (G) | ~80 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | ~25 W/m·K (high-alloy, lower) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | ~11 ×10⁻₆ /K (20 – 300 °C) |
Applications of Tool Steel Wire
Wire headed into punches, pins and rivets.
Wire ground to cutting-tool blanks.
Precise wire for press-shop tooling.
Pre-hardened wire for shafts.
Wire roughed to cutter blanks.
High-strength tool-grade wire for springs.
Quality Control and Mill Certificates
Every Wire order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate covering heat chemical analysis and the mechanical and dimensional checks on record. We add, on request: ultrasonic or magnetic-particle inspection, hardness mapping, straightness and flatness checks, decarburisation or surface-depth checks, and third-party inspection (SGS / BV) at the mill or before loading. Dimensions are verified to the relevant EN / ASTM / JIS standard or your drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply pre-hardened tool wire?
Yes, pre-hardened wire is available where no further heat treatment is wanted.
What diameter tolerance can you hold?
Typically h9–h11 by diameter; tighter classes on request.
Which grade for cold-headed punches?
A2 or O1 for general heading; M2 where cutting wear matters.
Is the wire annealed?
Annealed as standard for cold-heading and machining.
Do you stock DC53 and S7 wire?
Yes — DC53 for tough cold-work wire, S7 for shock-resisting parts.
Related Products
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