Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
(OP)
Our company has been using 01 tool steel (meets ASTM A-681) for stop blocks in an application we have. We are now looking to make the flip lever that goes between the stop blocks out of the same material. What is the procedure to use for welding a block of A-681 to a DOM tube? Other than asking for advice here, where is a good place to look for this knowledge? I looked on Matweb but did not find any welding guidelines given.
Secondly, as I read the information on 01 tool steel I think it comes in untempered and we need to harden it after machining it. Is that a correct reading of this material?
Thank you
Jim
Secondly, as I read the information on 01 tool steel I think it comes in untempered and we need to harden it after machining it. Is that a correct reading of this material?
Thank you
Jim





RE: Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
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RE: Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
In reading the welding recommendations, it again mentions re-tempering the material after welding. In the same set of information there are instructions for hardening and heat treating. Does the steel bar come in hardened or do we need to harden or temper the blocks after machining even if they are not welded.
Thank you
RE: Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
RE: Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
I would question if you really need O1 tool steel in this application. If you have been using this material in the annealed condition and have been having adequate performance, why not consider changing the material to one that is more weldable? For example, 4130 can easily be welded and you should be able to find 4130 bar heat treated to 28/35 HRC, which may be suitable.
rp
RE: Welding on ASTM A-681 (01 Tool Steel)
This is basically what I suspected. We have been using the material as delivered but the redesign is because it has been getting beat-up at this point. I thickened the material and purchasing told me we had been using tool steel, machine shop tells me we have been using 4140. We have no print with documentation. (does it look like we have a challenge here?) I had wanted to go with 1141 or 1144 but our vendor no longer carries them due to low turnover. I will look for 4130.
Thank you
Jim