Machinability
Almost every tool, when given shape, undergoes a machining process. This process generally takes place during the annealing state, but still in this condition there are a few machinability differences among the different tool steels.
These differences affect the manufacturing cost of the part.
Machinability of tool steels is substantially worse tat that of mechanical construction steels.
The adding of elements such as PB, S, Se, etc. to improve the machinability is not a usual procedure for tool steels, because all these additions have negative effects on toughness.
