D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11
Typical Specifications
| Grade | Steel grade |
|---|---|
| Product | Plate / bar / block |
| Condition | Confirm by order |
| Standard | Confirm by required standard |
Key Features
Typical Applications
WhatsApp / Email / RFQ
Send grade, product form, size, quantity, delivery condition, inspection requirement and destination port. Our sales team will check available material route, processing support, estimated weight and delivery schedule.
D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 Procurement Summary
Quick reference for buyers comparing standards, supply condition, hardness and application fit before sending an RFQ.
Equivalent and Related Grades
These are equivalent or related grade families. Buyers should confirm exact chemistry, hardness, cleanliness, tolerance and MTC before shipment.
Key Properties
D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 is selected mainly where wear resistance, edge retention and dimensional stability matter more than heavy-impact toughness.
Where D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 Is Commonly Used
D2 is usually selected for cold work tooling where abrasive wear, edge retention and dimensional stability are more important than severe impact resistance.
D2 vs Related Cold Work Steels
Alternative grades should be selected according to tool load, wear mode, toughness requirement, heat treatment route and budget.
| Grade | Main Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 | Excellent wear resistance and good dimensional stability | Toughness is moderate, not ideal for heavy impact |
| D3 / 1.2080 | Very high wear resistance | Lower toughness and less alloy balance than D2 |
| O1 / 1.2510 | Good machinability and simple heat treatment | Lower wear resistance than D2 |
| A2 / 1.2363 | Better toughness and air hardening | Lower wear resistance than D2 |
| DC53 | Improved toughness and machinability compared with conventional SKD11-type grades | Higher cost and must be confirmed by actual mill source |
DC53 can be a useful alternative depending on application, but it should not be treated as automatically better for every tool.
Buyer Checklist Before Ordering
- Grade and standard
- Product form
- Size and tolerance
- Delivery condition
- Surface condition
- Hardness
- UT requirement
- MTC
- Final application
- Heat treatment
- Packing
- Delivery time
Supply and Processing Support
- Hot rolled plate
- Forged block
- Flat bar
- Round bar
- Peeled or turned round bar
- Milled plate
- Six-side machined block
- Cut-to-size pieces
- Rough-machined blocks
- Export-packed material with MTC
Information to Include in Your RFQ
Clear RFQ details help avoid delays when confirming material route, cutting allowance, inspection and export packing.
D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 Chemical Composition Comparison
Typical ranges vary by standard and mill route. Always use the actual MTC as the final purchasing reference.
D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 is a high-carbon and high-chromium cold work steel. Its wear resistance mainly comes from chromium-rich carbides supported by molybdenum and vanadium carbides. For large dies, precision punches or long-service cutting tools, buyers should review actual MTC chemistry, not only the grade name. Differences in carbon, vanadium, sulfur and manufacturing route can affect toughness, machinability, EDM performance and final tool life.
Typical Delivery Condition for D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11
Delivery condition must be confirmed by order, mill practice and agreed standard.
- Annealed flat bar / plate: soft annealed, normally ≤255 HB
- Round bar: annealed, black, peeled or turned surface available
- Forged block: annealed, rough-machined or milled surface depending on order
- Cut-to-size block
- Six-side machined block
- Ultrasonic testing available upon request, depending on size and standard
- MTC supplied with shipment
Buyer Note
International buyers should confirm size tolerance, surface condition, hardness, UT level, cutting allowance and packaging before placing an order.
Heat Treatment Guidance for D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11
These values are practical industrial reference ranges. Final heat treatment should be adjusted by a qualified heat-treatment facility according to tool design, section thickness, furnace type, target hardness and service condition.
Soft Annealing
| Step | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Heating temperature | 830–860°C |
| Holding | Hold until uniformly heated |
| Cooling | Slow furnace cooling to approx. 600°C, then air cooling |
| Typical hardness after annealing | Usually ≤255 HB |
Stress Relieving
| Process | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 600–650°C |
| Holding time | Usually 1–2 hours after uniform heating |
| Cooling | Slow cooling in furnace or still air |
Preheating
| Step | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| First preheat | 600–650°C |
| Second preheat | 820–870°C |
Step preheating is recommended because D2 has high alloy content and relatively low thermal conductivity.
Austenitizing
| Application Condition | Recommended Austenitizing Range | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| General cold work tools | 1020–1040°C | Balanced hardness, toughness and wear resistance |
| High wear resistance requirement | 1040–1060°C | Higher carbide solution and wear resistance |
| Large tools or distortion-sensitive tools | 1010–1030°C | Lower distortion risk and better toughness balance |
| Tools for nitriding / coating after hardening | 1020–1040°C, with high-temperature tempering | Better stability before surface treatment |
Higher austenitizing temperature may increase wear resistance, but it can also increase retained austenite, distortion risk and brittleness if not properly controlled. Vacuum heat treatment is commonly used for precision D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 tools to reduce oxidation and decarburization.
Quenching
| Method | Buyer / Heat Treater Note |
|---|---|
| Air cooling | Suitable for smaller sections and lower distortion requirement |
| Gas quenching | Common for vacuum heat treatment and precision tools |
| Oil quenching | Faster cooling, but distortion and cracking risk must be controlled |
| Salt bath / hot bath | Controlled cooling and dimensional stability in selected tooling applications |
Tempering Recommendations
Tempering must be performed immediately after quenching when the tool has cooled to approximately 50–70°C. Double tempering is normally recommended. Triple tempering may be used for large tools, high-precision tools, EDM tools, nitrided tools or coated tools.
| Tempering Temperature | Approximate Hardness Reference | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 150–200°C | 60–62 HRC | Maximum hardness and wear resistance, lower toughness |
| 200–250°C | 59–61 HRC | General cutting and blanking tools |
| 500–520°C | 58–60 HRC | Secondary hardening range, better temper stability |
| 520–540°C | 57–59 HRC | Tools requiring improved toughness and coating stability |
| 540–560°C | 56–58 HRC | Larger tools or tools needing better crack resistance |
Typical Application Hardness
| Application | Typical Working Hardness |
|---|---|
| Blanking die | 58–62 HRC |
| Punch | 58–62 HRC |
| Fine cutting tool | 60–62 HRC |
| Forming die | 56–60 HRC |
| Slitting knife | 58–61 HRC |
| Shear blade | 56–60 HRC |
| Wear plate | 56–60 HRC |
| Thread rolling die | 58–62 HRC |
| Cold extrusion tool | 56–60 HRC, depending on load and toughness requirement |
Typical Applications
Available Service
Estimate Weight Before Inquiry
Calculate plate, round bar, flat bar or block weight, then send the result with your RFQ.
Calculation is for quotation reference only. Actual weight may vary by tolerance, cutting allowance and surface condition.
Send Your Steel Inquiry
If you are purchasing D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 cold work tool steel for blanking dies, punches, cutting tools, forming dies or wear-resistant components, send your size list, quantity, required standard and final application. We can help confirm material route, estimated weight, delivery condition, inspection requirement, export packing and shipment options.
D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 Buyer FAQ
Is D2 the same as 1.2379 and SKD11?
D2, DIN / EN 1.2379 and JIS SKD11 belong to the same high-carbon, high-chromium cold work tool steel family, but buyers should confirm the exact specification, chemistry and MTC before shipment.
What hardness can D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 reach after heat treatment?
Typical working hardness is 58–62 HRC after proper hardening and tempering, depending on section size, heat treatment route and service requirement.
What is the typical annealed hardness of D2 steel?
D2 is commonly supplied in annealed condition with hardness usually ≤255 HB, depending on mill practice and the agreed standard.
What is the recommended austenitizing temperature for D2?
General cold work tools are commonly austenitized at 1020–1040°C. High wear requirements may use 1040–1060°C, while large or distortion-sensitive tools often use a lower 1010–1030°C range.
How should D2 be tempered?
Tempering is normally performed immediately after quenching. Use 150–250°C for high hardness and wear resistance, or 500–560°C where temper stability, coating stability or toughness balance is required.
Is D2 suitable for high-impact tools?
D2 has moderate toughness and is not ideal for heavy impact. For impact-loaded tools, buyers should review A2, S7 or other alternatives with a heat-treatment specialist.
Can D2 be nitrided or coated?
D2 can be nitrided or coated after proper heat treatment. High-temperature tempering and dimensional stability should be considered before surface treatment.
Why does D2 sometimes crack during heat treatment?
Cracking may result from improper preheating, excessive austenitizing temperature, sharp corners, fast quenching, residual stress or insufficient tempering.
Is D2 corrosion resistant?
D2 is not stainless steel. Its high chromium content mainly supports carbide formation and wear resistance, not stainless corrosion resistance.
What should buyers confirm before ordering D2 steel?
Confirm grade, size, tolerance, delivery condition, hardness, UT requirement, MTC, machining allowance, final application, packing and delivery schedule.
Request D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 Steel Quotation
If you are purchasing D2 / 1.2379 / SKD11 cold work tool steel for blanking dies, punches, cutting tools, forming dies or wear-resistant components, send your size list, quantity, required standard and final application. We can help confirm material route, estimated weight, delivery condition, inspection requirement, export packing and shipment options.