Typical applications include hot shear knives, backing plates, embossing tools, forming dies and punches.

Preheat the steel slowly to 700°C then increase temperature more rapidly to 1050°C. Do not forge below 800°C. Cool slowly after forging, either in a furnace or in vermiculite.

Soak the 55NiCrMoV7 thoroughly at 740-760°C before furnace cooling at a maximum rate of 10°C per hour down to 600°C followed by air cooling.

When tools made from 55NiCrMoV7 are heavily machined or ground, the relief of internal strains is advisable before hardening to minimise the possibility of any distortion. Stress relieving of this grade should be done after rough machining. To stress relieve, heat the steel carefully to 600 to 650°C, allow a generous soaking period (two hours per 25mm of ruling section). Cool in the furnace to 500°C then freely in air.

Preheat to 600 to 700°C. Soak thoroughly, then increase rapidly to the hardening temperature of 850 to 880°C. Air or oil quench. Tools should be tempered once they become hand-warm.