Description
D6 Tool Steel: Detailed Overview
D6 tool steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel known for its outstanding hardness, wear resistance, and durability, making it suitable for a variety of demanding industrial applications. It is frequently used in the production of cutting tools, dies, and other high-stress components that require superior mechanical properties.
Introduction to D6 Tool Steel
D6 is a high-carbon, high-chromium alloy tool steel designed to provide exceptional hardness and resistance to wear. The alloy composition offers a balanced combination of strength, toughness, and wear resistance, making it ideal for use in tools and dies subject to high-stress conditions and abrasive wear.
Key Features of D6 Tool Steel:
- Superior Hardness: Capable of achieving high hardness through heat treatment.
- Wear Resistance: Excellent resistance to wear and abrasion, even under heavy loads.
- Strength: High tensile strength and toughness.
- Corrosion Resistance: Good resistance to corrosion in non-aggressive environments.
Applications of D6 Tool Steel
D6 is widely used in the manufacturing of tools and dies that require high resistance to wear and impact. It is particularly suitable for industries that demand high-performance materials for cutting, stamping, and forming operations.
Typical Applications Include:
- Cutting Tools: Shear blades, circular saws, and knives.
- Molds and Dies: Punching, stamping, and forming dies.
- Engineering Components: Rollers, cutting punches, and reamers.
- Industrial Machinery: High-wear machine parts.
- Cold Work Tooling: Applications that require high hardness and wear resistance at lower temperatures.
Equivalent Grades of D6 Tool Steel
D6 is recognized under various international standards to ensure compatibility across different regions and industries.
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| DIN | 1.2436 |
| EN | X210CrW12 |
| AISI/SAE | D6 |
| BS | BO1 |
Chemical Composition of D6 Tool Steel
The chemical composition of D6 is optimized to provide excellent hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. Below is the typical composition:
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 2.00 – 2.30 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 – 0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.10 – 0.40 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 11.00 – 13.00 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.30 max |
| Tungsten (W) | 0.50 – 0.70 |
This high-carbon, high-chromium content ensures that D6 achieves high hardness and excellent resistance to wear.
Mechanical Properties of D6 Tool Steel
The mechanical properties of D6 are critical for understanding its performance in demanding applications. The table below outlines typical values:
| Property | Value (Typical) |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 900 – 1100 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 750 – 950 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 8 |
| Impact Toughness (J) | ≥ 30 (at room temp) |
| Hardness (HB) | 250 – 280 |
These values demonstrate the steel’s ability to endure high mechanical stress, wear, and impacts.
Heat Treatment of D6 Tool Steel
To optimize the mechanical properties of D6 tool steel, heat treatment processes are essential:
- Hardening: Heat to 960 – 980°C and quench in oil or air to increase hardness.
- Tempering: Heat to 150 – 250°C after hardening to relieve internal stresses and improve toughness.
- Annealing: Heat to 780 – 820°C followed by slow cooling to soften the material for machining.
These treatments ensure that D6 tool steel achieves the desired hardness and toughness for specific applications.
Hardness of D6 Tool Steel
The hardness of D6 can be controlled through heat treatment. Typical hardness values are:
- Annealed Condition: 210 – 230 HB
- After Hardening and Tempering: Up to 62 HRC
These values reflect the steel’s capability to resist wear and deformation under heavy loads.
Physical Properties of D6 Tool Steel
The physical properties of D6 are important for understanding its behavior in different working environments. Key values include:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.7 – 7.9 |
| Melting Point (°C) | 1400 – 1450 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | 25 – 30 |
| Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg·K) | 400 – 460 |
These properties contribute to the steel’s reliability and performance under different operating conditions.
Forging Properties of D6 Tool Steel
D6 can be forged at temperatures between 1050 – 1150°C. Post-forging slow cooling is recommended to avoid cracking or deformation due to residual stresses.
Stress Relieving for D6 Tool Steel
Stress relieving involves heating the steel to 600 – 650°C to remove residual stresses from machining or forming. This helps improve dimensional stability and reduce the risk of distortion during use.
Machinability of D6 Tool Steel
D6 tool steel has moderate machinability in its annealed condition, but due to its high hardness, tool wear should be managed carefully during machining operations.
Welding of D6 Tool Steel
Welding D6 requires special care due to its high carbon content. Preheating to 200 – 300°C and post-weld heat treatment are recommended to prevent cracking and ensure weld integrity.
Supply Cities:
Mumbai Ahmedabad, Amaravathi, Ambattur, Bangalore, Belgaum, Chennai, Chittoor, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Mysore, Nellore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mangalore, Tirupur, Tuticorin, Madurai, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Kerala, Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka, Ghaziabad Kolkata.
