Hand tools — cold chisel material selection Cold chisels for chipping and cutting cold metal are typically manufactured from which material?

Introduction / Context:
Cold chisels endure impact loads and must maintain a sharp cutting edge at room temperature. Material choice directly affects hardness, toughness, and edge retention.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Tool used for cutting or chipping cold metal with a hammer.
• Edge must resist deformation without shattering under impact.
• Heat treatment is applied after forging/grinding.

Concept / Approach:
High-carbon tool steels (often termed cast tool steel in traditional texts) provide the combination of hardness and toughness needed after proper heat treatment (quenching and tempering). They differ from HSS, which is optimized for hot hardness in cutting tools at high speeds, not for repeated impact like a chisel.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Select a steel with ~0.75–1.0% carbon suitable for hardening.Heat treat to achieve a hard edge and tough body (tempered).Conclude: cast tool steel / high-carbon tool steel is appropriate.

Verification / Alternative check:
Common specifications for cold chisels cite W-series water-hardening tool steels or similar carbon tool steels, not mild steel or cast iron.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mild steel and cast iron lack necessary hardness and toughness; HSS is costly and optimized for hot cutting conditions; austempered ductile iron is not standard for chisels.

Common Pitfalls:
Over-hardening leading to brittleness and tip chipping; insufficient tempering causing fractures under impact.

Final Answer:
Cast tool steel (high-carbon tool steel)