What distinguishes tool steels in terms of additive manufacturing?

Tool steels are distinguished in additive manufacturing primarily due to their high carbon content, which contributes to their strength and wear resistance. This characteristic is vital for applications that require materials that can withstand significant stress and abrasion, such as in die and mold production. The high carbon content also allows for heat treatment, further enhancing the hardness and durability of the tool steels after additive manufacturing processes.

While tool steels can indeed be used for making molds and have other specific properties, such as higher melting points compared to some other materials, these features do not define them in the context of additive manufacturing as distinctly as their high carbon content does. The ability to retain strength under intense conditions is a crucial factor that makes them suitable for various industrial applications, particularly in the tooling sector.