SKD11

SKD11 is a tool steel grade defined by the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) and is widely used for cold-work tooling. It corresponds to AISI D2 in the American system and DIN 1.2379 in European standards. SKD11 is a high-carbon, high-chromium steel designed for wear resistance and edge retention, with roughly 1.4–1.6% carbon and 11–13% chromium, along with smaller amounts of alloying elements such as molybdenum and vanadium that form hard carbides.

Properties of SKD11 include high wear resistance and good dimensional stability after heat treatment. Hardened steel of this grade typically reaches about 60–62 HRC, providing long service life for dies and cutting tools. The high carbide content gives excellent hardness and edge retention but can make the steel more challenging to machine in hardened form. It also tends to have good strength and toughness for many cold-working applications when properly heat-treated.

Heat treatment generally involves austenitizing around 1020–1050°C, followed by oil quenching and subsequent tempering to achieve the desired hardness and toughness. A common practice is tempering in the 520–560°C range, sometimes with multiple cycles, to balance hardness and brittleness. Proper normalization before hardening helps relieve internal stresses and improve uniformity.

Applications for SKD11 include cold-work tooling such as forming dies, bending and punch dies, shear blades, and other components subject to repetitive loading and wear. It is also used in some plastic mold bases and other tooling where high wear resistance is advantageous.

Overall, SKD11 is valued for its combination of wear resistance, edge retention, and stability, making it a standard choice for demanding cold-work applications in various industries.