This handy book provides a single, up-to-date source of information for increasing the life of tool steels through optimized design and manufacturing. Supplying a solid understanding of the metallurgy involved, the text explains how material compositions, manufacturing processes, heat treatments, surface hardening techniques, and coatings affect tool steel properties, grades, and performance. It also explores real-life case studies and failure analyses, offering examples of die-life parameters and hints for modifying tool steels and heat treatments during cutting or forming processes. While the book offers deep coverage of properties, microstructure, and manufacturing, its focus is on describing the performance of each application of this special class of ferrous materials.Provides a single, up-to-date source of information for increasing the life of tool steels through optimized design and manufacturing.Explains how material compositions, manufacturing processes, heat treatments, surface hardening techniques, and coatings affect tool steel properties, grades, and performance.Supplies a solid understanding of the metallurgy involved in tool steel manufacturing, machining, hot and cold working, and molding.Offers examples of die-life parameters and hints for modifying tool steels and heat treatments during cutting or forming processes.Includes real-life case studies and failure analyses from the Villares Metals plant in Brazil.