DAC Material Detailed Information
DAC is a hot work tool steel developed by Daido Steel. It is equivalent to AISI H13 and 1.2344 (DIN) and is widely used for die casting molds, extrusion dies, and forging dies. This steel is known for its high toughness, excellent heat resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance, making it ideal for hot work tooling applications where extreme temperature fluctuations occur.
DAC is particularly effective in high-pressure die casting and plastic molding applications, offering superior crack resistance, wear resistance, and dimensional stability under cyclic thermal stress.
Key Features
- High Heat Resistance: DAC is designed to withstand high temperatures and thermal cycling, making it ideal for hot work applications.
- Superior Toughness: Compared to conventional H13 steel, DAC has improved toughness and impact resistance, preventing premature cracking.
- Excellent Wear & Abrasion Resistance: The steel maintains surface hardness and durability, even under extreme wear conditions.
- Thermal Shock Resistance: DAC resists thermal cracking, a common problem in die casting dies and forging dies.
- Good Machinability & Polishability: Allows for precision machining and smooth surface finishes, essential for plastic molds and die casting applications.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.35 – 0.42 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.80 – 1.20 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 – 0.50 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4.80 – 5.50 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.20 – 1.50 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.30 – 0.60 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.020 |
Key Features of the Composition:
- Chromium (Cr): Enhances hardenability, toughness, and heat resistance.
- Molybdenum (Mo): Improves high-temperature strength and wear resistance.
- Vanadium (V): Provides grain refinement, increasing toughness and thermal stability.
- Silicon (Si): Enhances oxidation resistance and tempering stability.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Hardness (Annealed) | ≤ 229 HB |
| Hardness (Hardened & Tempered) | 46 – 52 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | ~1,550 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~1,300 MPa |
| Elongation | 10 – 12% |
| Impact Toughness | High |
Advantages of DAC:
- Excellent thermal fatigue resistance, reducing cracking risk.
- Good high-temperature strength, making it ideal for die casting and forging.
- High impact resistance, suitable for repeated thermal stress conditions.
- Good machinability in the annealed condition
DAC vs. H13 vs. 1.2344 (DIN)
| Property | DAC | H13 (AISI) | 1.2344 (DIN) |
| Hardness (Tempered) | 46-52 HRC | 45-50 HRC | 45-50 HRC |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Toughness | Superior | Moderate | Moderate |
| Thermal Stability | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Applications | Die casting, forging, extrusion dies | Hot work tooling | Hot work tooling |
Why Choose DAC Over H13?
- DAC has better toughness and thermal fatigue resistance than standard H13.
- Suitable for applications requiring high shock resistance and extreme temperature variations.
Applications
DAC is widely used in industries that require hot work tool steels with high heat resistance, durability, and toughness, such as die casting, plastic molding, and forging.
Die Casting Dies & Cores
- High-pressure aluminum, magnesium, and zinc die-casting molds.
- Shot sleeves and plunger tips for continuous exposure to molten metal.
Forging Dies & Hot Work Tooling
- Hot forging dies for automotive and aerospace components.
- Hammer and press forging tools subjected to repeated thermal stress.
Plastic Molding & Extrusion Dies
- Injection molding molds requiring high wear resistance.
- Extrusion dies for plastic, rubber, and metal materials.
Hot Shear Blades & Cutting Tools
- Hot cutting knives for metal shearing at high temperatures.
Heat Treatment Process
Annealing
- Heat to 850–900°C, then slowly cool in a furnace.
Hardening
- Preheat at 600–700°C, then heat to 1,000–1,050°C, followed by oil or air quenching.
Tempering
- Temper at 550–650°C (twice) to achieve 46-52 HRC.
Surface Treatment
- Nitriding to enhance surface hardness and wear resistance.
- PVD or CVD coating (TiN, TiCN) for better abrasion resistance.
Alternative Materials
- H13 (AISI): A general-purpose hot work tool steel, but lower thermal fatigue resistance than DAC.
- 1.2344 (DIN): European equivalent to H13, commonly used for hot work tools.
- FDAC (Daido Steel): A pre-hardened version of DAC, suitable for applications where heat treatment is difficult.
- DAC-MAGIC (Daido Steel): An advanced variant of DAC with improved toughness and wear resistance.
Conclusion
DAC is a high-performance hot work tool steel with excellent toughness, wear resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance. It is ideal for die casting dies, forging dies, plastic molds, and extrusion tooling due to its ability to withstand extreme thermal cycling and mechanical stress.
Best Choice for: Die casting molds, high-temperature forging dies, and plastic molds requiring durability.
Why Choose DAC? Superior toughness, heat resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance compared to standard H13.
