C2 Standard Tool Steel

6% Cobalt. Medium Grain (1-2µm). General purpose for cast iron, non-ferrous, and plastics.

Reference ratings

• Type: Carbide
• Hardness: 91-92 RA HRC
• Wear resistance: 8/10
• Toughness: 3/10
• Machinability: 1/10

Selection considerations

C2 Standard holds an edge well under abrasive wear, is chip-sensitive at sharp corners and in thin sections, is slow to machine and grind. At 91-92 RA HRC it sits in the carbide family, so the quench medium, section size, and distortion allowance should be planned together — a grade that rates well on wear but low on toughness will fail by chipping long before it wears out if the application is wrong.

Use the ratings here for comparison, then confirm the grade-specific data sheet and heat-treatment instructions from the selected supplier. Specify hardness range, heat-treatment process, finish stock, coating sequence, and inspection requirements on the tooling record. Large sections, sharp corners, interrupted cuts, and repair welding can materially change risk.

Sourcing and data sheets

• General Carbide
• Kennametal
• Basic Carbide (USA)
• Dura-Metal (USA)

Production verification

Review the application with the tool designer, heat treater, and responsible engineer before release. Track wear and failure mode after startup so the next maintenance or replacement decision uses actual performance instead of a generic ranking. These values are reference data and are not a heat-treatment certificate.

Open the tool steel comparison matrix, read choosing tool steel for stamping dies, or return to tooling materials.