1. Overview of SKD11 Tool Steel
SKD11 is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold work die steel, equivalent to the American standard D2 tool steel.
Due to its combination of high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good dimensional stability, SKD11 is widely used in cold work die applications demanding high wear resistance and precision.
Common applications include:
- Blanking and punching dies
- Shear blades
- Precision punches
- Cold forming and bending dies
2. Key Properties of SKD11
The comprehensive properties of SKD11 stem from its balanced alloy composition, ensuring stable performance under cold working conditions.
- High Hardness and Wear Resistance: After proper heat treatment, SKD11 typically achieves a hardness of 58–62 HRC. It exhibits outstanding wear resistance in high-frequency stamping and mass production, effectively reducing edge wear.
- Good Dimensional Stability: SKD11 is an air-hardening steel, exhibiting minimal deformation during quenching, making it suitable for complex die components requiring high dimensional accuracy.
- High Compressive Strength: Under high-load conditions like stamping and shearing, SKD11 can withstand significant contact stress without plastic deformation.
Note: Compared to tougher cold work steels, SKD11 has relatively limited toughness. Chipping may occur under high-impact conditions or improper use.
3. Heat Treatment Guidelines
Heat treatment quality directly determines the final performance and is crucial for controlling die service life.
Annealing
- Purpose: To reduce hardness and improve machinability.
- Typical annealed hardness: Approximately 220–250 HB.
- Helps achieve a uniform structure and reduce subsequent machining stress.
Quenching
- Heating temperature is typically controlled between 1000–1050°C.
- Hardening is achieved via air or oil cooling.
- Aim: To obtain a high-hardness martensitic structure.
Tempering
- Double tempering is recommended.
- Tempering temperature is generally in the range of 150–200°C.
- Purpose: To reduce brittleness, relieve residual stress, and improve structural stability.
Proper control of heat treatment parameters achieves a better balance between hardness and toughness.
4. Machining Considerations
Due to its high alloy content, SKD11 is more challenging to machine than standard die steels, requiring specific measures at different stages.
4.1 Machining in Annealed State
- Using carbide tools is recommended.
- Employ medium-to-low cutting speeds to avoid work hardening.
- Use ample coolant to reduce cutting heat.
4.2 Finish Machining After Hardening
- Grinding is a common final machining method.
- Using CBN wheels or tools can improve efficiency.
- EDM machining is often used for complex cavities.
- A stress-relief temper after key machining steps is advised to reduce the risk of cracking during service.
5. Typical Applications
Leveraging its excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability, SKD11 is particularly suitable for:
- Long-life blanking and punching dies.
- High-precision shear blades.
- Cold work dies for mass production.
- Applications requiring high edge life.
6. Practical Recommendations for Selecting SKD11
In practical material selection, SKD11 is more suitable for the following conditions:
- The workpiece material is hard, or the production volume is large.
- Wear resistance is more critical than toughness.
- Strict requirements for the dimensional stability.
- For applications with significant impact loads, consider upgrading to a higher-toughness cold work steel to reduce chipping risk.
7. Conclusion
SKD11 cold work die steel is a mature and widely used high-performance tool steel. Through proper heat treatment, standardized machining processes, and appropriate die design, SKD11 can deliver stable performance and extended service life in the field of cold work tooling.
About ASIATOOLS
ASIATOOLS is a professional supplier and solution provider specializing in tool steels, mold steels, and CNC machining–related products. With extensive experience in cold work tooling applications, we support customers worldwide in material selection, processing optimization, and application matching.
For cold work tool steels such as SKD11 (D2 equivalent), ASIATOOLS provides not only reliable material sourcing but also practical technical support, including heat treatment recommendations, machining guidance, and application consulting. Our goal is to help manufacturers and tooling engineers achieve longer tool life, stable performance, and cost-effective production.
By integrating material expertise with machining and tooling knowledge, ASIATOOLS serves as a one-stop partner for precision tooling and industrial manufacturing needs. Feel free to contact us!