Tool steels are complex, high-carbon alloys engineered to withstand extreme mechanical stress, abrasive wear, and severe thermal cycling. In surface engineering—specifically through Laser Metal Deposition (LMD/DED) and Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) welding—tool steel powders are used to salvage expensive worn tooling, modify existing dies, or apply a premium, wear-resistant working edge to a highly ductile, lower-cost substrate.
When repairing a high-value forging die or injection mold, a focused heat source (like a high-power laser or plasma arc) melts the surface of the base tool while simultaneously injecting tool steel powder (such as H13, M2, D2, or Maraging steel) into the melt pool. Because tool steels rely on a precise matrix of carbides (formed by elements like Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Tungsten), the cooling rates and the quality of the feedstock must be perfectly controlled to achieve the desired hardness without inducing cracks.
| Product | Fe | # C | # Cr | W | # Mo | # V | Co | Si | Mn (Max) | Ni (Max) | S (Max) | O (Max) | Key Characteristics and Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lattice™ M2 | Bal | 1 | 4 | 6.5 | 5 | 2 | - | <0.5 | 0.55 | 0.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | Balanced high toughness and 'red' hardness; ideal for general-purpose structural components, high-speed fasteners, and heavy-duty drilling tools that must maintain precision under heat. |
| Lattice™ M2 - shot blasting | Bal | 1 | 4 | 6.5 | 5 | 2 | - | <0.6 | 0.65 | 2 | 0.03 | - | Enhanced vanadium content for superior edge retention and abrasive wear resistance. Specifically engineered for complete machining tool sets and high-friction internal engine components. |
| Lattice™ M3:2 | Bal | 1.2 | 4 | <0.8 | 2.5 | 3 | <0.5 | 0.5 | 0.55 | 0.35 | 0.03 | 0.03 | Extreme wear resistance (High 8%) designed for optimal standard tool steels. Optimized for high-pressure nozzles, abrasive powder compaction dies, and zero maintenance aerospace bushings. |
| Lattice™ 10V | Bal | 2.1 | 6 | 1 | 0.5 | 8 | - | 1 | 1 | 0.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | A premium high-vanadium HSS offering a rare combination of extreme impact toughness and wear resistance. Used for heavy-duty punching, laser drilling, and other applications requiring high-toughness, cold-work tooling, and safety-critical structural brackets. |
| Lattice™ M4 | Bal | 1.3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 5 | - | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | A versatile surface alloy for components under heavy mechanical loads and aggressive slip, ideal for re-manufacturing worn aerospace shafts. |
| Lattice™ D2 | Bal | 1.5 | 12 | - | 0.5 | 0.3 | - | - | 0.4 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.03 | High carbon and chromium content for maximum hardness and dimensional stability. The industry standard for corrosion- and wear-resistant high-strength rolling blanks, dies, and structural components requiring high compressive strength. |
| Lattice™ 440C | Bal | 1 | 18 | <0.3 | 1.2 | 0.15 | 1.5 | <1 | 1 | 0.45 | 0.03 | 0.05 | Enhanced with Cobalt for superior hardness and heat stability. Engineered for bearing races, valve assemblies, and components exposed to corrosive aerospace fuels or harsh marine environments. |
| Lattice™ M35 | Bal | 0.9 | 4.5 | 2.5 | - | 2 | - | 1.4 | 1 | - | - | - | Cobalt-forged for exceptional resistance to thermal softening. Built for high-temperature engine mounts, turbine-adjustment tooling, and the heavy-duty machining of Titanium and Inconel alloys. |
