Cold-work tool steels which include D2, D3, D4, D5, and D7 steels are high-carbon, high-chromium steels. Apart from D3 steel all group D steels have 1% Mo and are air hardened. Type D3 steel is oil-quenched; though small sections can be gas quenched after austenitization using vacuum. As a result, tools made with type D3 steel tend to be brittle during hardening. Type D2 steel is the most commonly used steel among the group D steels. The D3 steels contain 1.5 to 2.35% of carbon and 12% of chromium.
Grade Application:
AISI D3 Cold Work Steel has high strength, good hardenability and wear resistance. D3 is suitable for applications such as complex blanking and forming tools for long runs and for hard and abrasive materials.
The following table shows the chemical composition of HCHCR steel:
Element
C
Si
Mn
P
S
Cr
Ni
V
Cu
W
Content (%)
2.00-2.35
0.60
0.60
0.03
0.03
11.00-13.50
0.30
1.00
0.02
1.00
Mechanical Properties:
Properties
Metric
Imperial
Izod impact unnotched
28.0 J
20.7 ft-lb
Poisson’s ratio
0.27-0.30
0.27-0.30
Elastic modulus
190-210 GPa
27557-30457 ksi
Hardness:
Hardness in the range 58-64 HRC.
Heat treatment:
Heat treatment temperatures, including rate of heating, cooling and soaking times will vary due to factors such as the shape and size of each steel component. Other considerations during the heat treatment process include the type of furnace, quenching medium and work piece transfer facilities.
Hardening:
It is preferable to heat the tools in a controlled atmosphere. If this is not possible, pack hardening is recommended. A reducing atmosphere is desirable. Pre heat the component to 750-800°C. and allow to soak at this temperature. Raise to the hardening temperature of 950-980°C. Soak thoroughly at the temperature for thirty minutes per 25mm of ruling section, then cool or quench accordingly.
Tempering:
Double tempering is recommended. Tempering should be done with the least possible delay after hardening, preferably when the tools are still hand warm. Select a suitable tempering temperature, bearing in mind the service requirements. Heat slowly and uniformly. When the component has reached the desired temperature, soak for at least one hour per 25mm of thickness. The second tempering should be a repetition of the first.
Temperature [°C]
150
200
300
400
500
Hardness [HRc]
64-63
62-61
60-59
59-58
56-55
Physical Properties:
Physical properties of HCHCR tool steels are given below:
Properties
Metric
Imperial
Density
7.7 x 1000 kg/m3
0.278 lb/in3
Melting point
1421°C
2590°F
Thermal Properties:
The following table shows the thermal properties of HCHCR steels.
Properties
Conditions
T (°C)
Treatment
Thermal expansion
12 x 10-6/ºC
20-100
–
Forging Properties:
Pre-heat at 900-950°C then raise temperature to 1050-1100°C. Soak until uniformly heated. D3 tool steel is relatively hard at elevated temperature. Therefore, initial hammer blows must be light and the temperature must not be allowed to fall below 1020°C until the metal begins to flow. Final forging should not be done below 900°C.
Stress Relieving:
When tools are heavily machined, ground or otherwise subjected to cold work, the relief of internal strains is advisable before hardening to minimize the possibility of distortion. Stress relieving should be done after rough machining. To stress relieve, heat the steel component to 600-650°C. Soak well and cool in the furnace or in air. The tools may then be finish machined before hardening.
Normalizing:
Do Not Normalize.
Annealing:
D3 is supplied in the annealed and machinable condition. Re-annealing will only be necessary if the steel has been forged or hardened by the toolmaker. To anneal, heat slowly and uniformly to 900°C. Soak for three to four hours and allow to cool in the furnace to room temperature. Re-heat to 800-1040°C and again soak for three to four hours. Allow to cool in the furnace to room temperature.
