Sheet metal bending tools: C45 steel or 42 CrMo?

In sheet metal bending, tools play a key role in ensuring quality workmanship. Therefore, it is very important to consider the material from which they are made.

We have already adressed this topic here.

We compared two most commonly used types of steel there, which are C45 and 42 CrMo.

In summary, we had seen that C45 steel is:

• Easily machined (milling and grinding).
• Suitable for medium load applications.
• Economical.

Whereas 42CrMo steel has:

• Better tensile strength.
• Improved wear and abrasion resistance.
• Improved hardness.
• Better toughness.
• Better heat resistance.

More possibilities for customization We will now tackle the differences by asking three main questions to help you choose the right tools for your bending needs.

1. What loads and stresses will you subject the tool to?

We have seen that 42CrMo steel has greater mechanical strength than C45, so:

• if you have to process thick sheet metal or applications with high loads, choose tools made of 42CrMo steel,
• if you have to work thin sheets or applications that do not need high strength and hardness, tools made of C45 steel are sufficient.

2. Do you want a product that lasts a long time?

If you want to invest in the durability of tools and are interested in them maintaining excellent characteristics over the long term, 42CrMo steel, due to its wear resistance, might be the right choice.

3. What is your tool budget?

The economic aspect is certainly something to consider: C45 steel is indeed cheaper. However, as we have seen, it also has lower performance than 42 CrMo steel.

So, if you do not need higher strengths and capacities for your machining, C45 might be a more affordable choice.

If, on the other hand, you need a tool that can withstand significant wear and tear and stress over the long term, you'd better choose 42 CrMo.

Want the advice of an expert? Eurostamp will help you!

Let's conclude, then, by saying that although the characteristics of 42CrMo steel are superior, they may not necessarily be suitable for your bending needs.

To say that one alloy is better than the other in an absolute sense is not correct: we have seen that it all depends on the type of machining you have to deal with, the thickness of the sheet metal, the resources you have and many other details.

The Eurostamp staff is here to help you make the best choice of material for each press brake tooling and bending process type.

Contact us.