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Alloy steel SKD11 is a typical cold work tool steel widely used in precision machining industries. Known for its high carbon and chromium content, SKD11 offers excellent hardness and wear resistance. Due to its outstanding comprehensive performance, SKD11 has become the preferred material for manufacturing high-strength molds and cutting tools in mechanical design.
Many mechanical components fail prematurely due to improper material selection. SKD11 helps prevent such failures in mold design by ensuring part longevity and machining efficiency, meeting aerospace material standards, medical device processing specifications, and automotive parts wear resistance grades.
The performance of SKD11 is rooted in its unique chemical composition:
| Element | Content Range (%) | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.40–1.60 | Increases hardness and wear resistance; enhances cutting edge retention |
| Chromium (Cr) | 11.00–13.00 | Improves corrosion resistance and hardness; enhances hardenability |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.30 | Enhances toughness; prevents brittleness |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.70–1.20 | Increases red hardness and hardenability; improves wear resistance |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.20–0.40 | Refines grain size; boosts strength and wear resistance |
The high chromium content in SKD11 strikes an excellent balance between hardness and wear resistance, making it suitable for heavy-duty cold work applications.
Due to its high hardness, SKD11 presents machining challenges, especially regarding cutting heat that accelerates tool wear. Key points of its machinability include:
Soft annealed state offers lower hardness, facilitating rough machining and stable dimensional control.
After heat treatment, hardness reaches HRC 58–62, ideal for wear resistance but harder for finishing.
Cold machining requires careful cutting temperature control, using efficient cooling fluids to reduce thermal impact.
Designer’s tip: When designing complex molds, plan machining steps wisely—combine annealing, heat treatment, and finishing to ensure dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
Typical physical properties of Alloy Steel SKD11:
| Property | Value | Standard/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 58–62 (quenched) | JIS G4404 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 1900–2200 | ASTM A681 |
| Elastic Modulus (GPa) | ~210 | ISO 6892 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 18–22 | — |
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.7 | — |
| Thermal Deformation Threshold (℃) | 200–250 | Softening risk above this temperature |
📈 Effect of Temperature on Young’s Modulus: As temperature rises, SKD11’s elastic modulus decreases, reducing resistance to deformation. Designers should consider actual operating temperatures in their calculations.
Additionally, SKD11 has better corrosion resistance than ordinary carbon steels but requires surface treatment in harsh acidic or alkaline environments.
Thanks to its high wear resistance and strength, SKD11 is widely applied in:
Cold stamping dies: Preferred material for cutting, punching, and stretching dies.
Cutting tools: Manufacturing wear-resistant blades, saws, and knives.
Precision gauges: Base material for high-accuracy measuring instruments.
Automotive manufacturing: Wear-resistant auto parts and molds.
Medical devices: Compliant with medical device processing specifications for tooling and equipment.
| Performance Aspect | Rating (out of 10) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 9 | High carbon and chromium ensure excellent hardness |
| Wear Resistance | 9 | Suitable for high-load cutting and stamping |
| Toughness | 7 | Good toughness, suitable for impact loads |
| Machinability | 6 | Easy in soft state, needs special tools when hardened |
| Corrosion Resistance | 6 | Good, but not stainless steel level |
| Thermal Stability | 6 | Operating temperature must be controlled |
Problem-Solution Example:
When designing highly wear-resistant cold stamping dies, SKD11 provides hardness and wear resistance but is challenging to machine. Use staged heat treatments and proper coolant strategies.
Alloy Steel SKD11’s unique chemical makeup and stable physical properties make it indispensable in mold manufacturing and precision machining. Mechanical designers should select this material based on specific operating conditions and align with aerospace material standards, medical device processing specifications, and automotive parts wear resistance grades for optimal performance.
Is high hardness and wear resistance required? ✅
Will the part endure cold working and impact loads? ✅
Are machining sequences and heat treatments well planned? ✅
Is the heat treatment process fully understood? ✅
Is environmental corrosion within manageable limits? ✅
SKD11 remains a star material in tooling and molds, empowering mechanical designers to create durable, high-performance components.
