D3 Tool Steel / DIN 1.2080 – Ideal for Shear Blades, Punches & Dies

 

Introduction to D3 Tool Steel

D3 Tool Steel also known by its German designation DIN 1.2080 is a high-carbon high-chromium cold work tool steel that offers outstanding wear resistance and dimensional stability. Due to its excellent hardness and abrasion resistance D3 is widely used in applications such as blanking dies shear blades forming rolls and precision cutting tools. It belongs to the same family as AISI D2 and SKD1 but has higher carbon content which enhances its edge retention in dry or abrasive environments.

International Equivalent Grades

D3 tool steel is recognized globally under different standards and designations. Here is a list of equivalent grades across various countries and systems DIN EN Germany 1.2080 X210Cr12 AISI USA D3 JIS Japan SKD1 BS UK BD3 ISO International ISO 160CrMoV12 GB China Cr12 These equivalents make it easier for global customers to source D3 steel under familiar specifications.

Chemical Composition of DIN 1.2080

The chemical makeup of D3 tool steel is key to its performance. It contains a high percentage of carbon and chromium providing superior wear resistance and hardness Carbon 2.00 Chromium 11.50 to 13.00 Manganese 0.60 max Silicon 0.60 max Molybdenum 0.30 max Vanadium 0.30 max Phosphorus and Sulfur trace elements This composition enables D3 to form hard carbides during heat treatment resulting in excellent edge strength and cutting ability.

Mechanical Properties of D3 Tool Steel

D3 tool steel delivers exceptional performance under cold working conditions due to its robust mechanical characteristics Tensile strength up to 850 MPa annealed Hardness after heat treatment 58 to 62 HRC High compressive strength Excellent resistance to galling and wear Fair impact toughness Moderate corrosion resistance in dry environments These mechanical properties make D3 ideal for tooling applications that require high edge retention and minimal distortion.

Heat Treatment Process

Proper heat treatment of D3 tool steel is crucial to achieving desired hardness and performance in tooling operations Annealing Temperature 850 to 880 degrees Celsius Cool slowly in furnace Hardness after annealing ≤ 229 HB Hardening Preheat in two steps 450 to 600 degrees Celsius then 850 to 900 degrees Celsius Austenitize at 1000 to 1050 degrees Celsius Quench in oil or air depending on cross-section Target hardness 58 to 62 HRC Tempering Temperature 150 to 200 degrees Celsius Hold for at least 2 hours Repeat tempering 2 to 3 times for improved toughness Sub-zero treatment is optional and can improve dimensional stability further in precision applications.

Main Applications of D3 Tool Steel

Thanks to its wear resistance hardness and edge retention D3 is widely used in tooling and precision forming processes. Key applications include Shear blades for cutting metal paper and plastics Punches and dies for blanking and forming stainless steel and hard alloys Wire drawing dies and forming rolls Coining dies and embossing tools Knives and cutters for leather paper plastic and textiles Mold components for ceramic tile forming and powder pressing Cold heading dies and bushings D3 is particularly suitable for high-volume production tools where repeated abrasive contact is expected.

Advantages of Using DIN 1.2080 Tool Steel

Choosing D3 tool steel offers numerous benefits across various industries including manufacturing automotive electronics packaging and heavy machinery High wear resistance prolongs tool life Stable hardness minimizes tool distortion during use Fine grain structure allows excellent dimensional control High polishability makes it suitable for surface-critical tools Availability in various sizes and shapes enables flexible machining Compatible with PVD and CVD surface coatings for added durability These advantages make D3 a preferred choice for cold work tool steel among toolmakers and end users worldwide.

Comparison with D2 Tool Steel and SKD11

Although D2 1.2379 and SKD11 are popular alternatives to D3 they differ in terms of performance and cost

Property	D3 Tool Steel	D2 Tool Steel	SKD11 Steel
Carbon Content	Higher	Moderate	Moderate
Wear Resistance	Very High	High	High
Toughness	Lower	Moderate	Moderate
Dimensional Stability	Excellent	Very Good	Very Good
Machinability	Moderate	Better	Better
Common Use	Shear blades	Punches dies	Cold forming
Cost	Lower	Medium	Medium

D3 is ideal where maximum hardness and abrasion resistance are required without much impact load. D2 and SKD11 provide a balance between hardness and toughness.

Available Sizes and Forms

At Sakysteel we offer D3 tool steel in multiple forms to meet your production and machining needs Round bars 20mm to 500mm diameter Flat bars width up to 800mm Plates thickness from 10mm to 300mm Forged blocks for large tooling Precision ground bars and customized blanks Cut to size available upon request We also provide mill test certificates and ultrasonic testing as part of our quality control.

Surface Finish Options

We offer multiple surface finish options to suit different applications Black hot rolled Machined peeled or turned Ground or polished Annealed or quenched and tempered Coated for additional corrosion or wear resistance All surfaces are inspected for quality and marked clearly for traceability.

Quality Standards and Certifications

Our D3 tool steel complies with major international standards and certifications DIN EN 1.2080 AISI D3 JIS SKD1 ISO 9001 certified production EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate Optional third-party inspections from SGS TUV BV RoHS and REACH compliant upon request We ensure every batch meets your engineering and regulatory requirements.

Packaging and Delivery

To protect the steel during transport and storage we use standard export-grade packaging Wooden pallets or cases Plastic film moisture-proof wrapping Steel straps for fastening Clearly labeled with heat number size grade and weight Custom barcodes and labels available Delivery can be arranged by sea air or express depending on urgency and volume.

Industries Served

D3 tool steel is trusted by professionals in the following industries Automotive mold and stamping Aerospace tooling and fixture Packaging equipment manufacturing Textile knife and die production Plastic mold inserts and trimming tools Defense and heavy machinery components Precision tooling and die shops The versatility and hardness of D3 make it suitable for both traditional and advanced manufacturing processes.

Technical Support and Customization

Sakysteel provides technical consultation material selection advice and customized processing services including Cutting to required length or shape Rough machining and grinding Ultrasonic testing and flaw detection Heat treatment consultation Surface coating or nitriding Our team works closely with clients to ensure the tool steel meets exact performance and dimensional expectations.

Why Choose Sakysteel for D3 Tool Steel

With over 20 years of experience in the tool steel industry Sakysteel is a trusted partner for quality reliability and service Large in-stock inventory Fast turnaround time Competitive global pricing Expert technical support Export experience to Europe Southeast Asia and South America Flexible order volumes from trial batches to bulk supply We support OEMs fabricators mold makers and end users with consistent and certified material.

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