Hot work tools operate at elevated temperatures and form different products in aluminium, steel or other metals.

The most common application areas in hot work are die-casting, extrusion and forging. The high working temperatures put very high demands on the tool steel. The properties' profile of material used for hot work should include an excellent hot strength as well as a very good ductility and toughness.

Other important tool steel properties are a high resistance against thermal cyclic stresses and a good hot wear resistance. The properties profile should be even in all directions in the tool steel for best performance.