DAC-S Material Detailed Information
DAC-S is a modified hot work tool steel developed by Daido Steel as an improved version of DAC (H13 equivalent). It is designed to offer better toughness, heat resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance than standard H13 or 1.2344 (DIN), making it ideal for die casting molds, extrusion dies, and hot forging dies.
Compared to DAC, DAC-S has enhanced mechanical properties, particularly higher toughness and resistance to cracking, which helps extend the lifespan of molds and dies operating in high-temperature environments.
Key Features
- Superior Toughness & Crack Resistance: Due to nickel (Ni) and optimized vanadium (V) content, DAC-S has better toughness and thermal fatigue resistance than standard DAC (H13).
- Improved Thermal Stability: Can withstand high operating temperatures with minimal softening, making it excellent for high-temperature molds and dies.
- Extended Tool Life: The enhanced chemical composition reduces wear and cracking, leading to longer tool life in die casting and hot forging applications.
- Good Machinability: DAC-S retains the machinability of DAC, allowing for easier processing.
- Optimized for Die Casting & Forging: Specifically developed to reduce thermal fatigue cracking, which is a common failure mode in high-pressure die casting molds.
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 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.30 – 0.80 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.020 |
Key Differences from DAC:
- Added Nickel (Ni): Enhances toughness and impact resistance.
- Optimized Vanadium (V) Content: Improves heat resistance and wear resistance.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Hardness (Annealed) | ≤ 229 HB |
| Hardness (Hardened & Tempered) | 46 – 52 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | ~1,600 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~1,350 MPa |
| Elongation | 10 – 14% |
| Impact Toughness | Higher than DAC and H13 |
Advantages of DAC-S:
- Higher toughness than DAC and H13
- Better resistance to cracking and thermal fatigue
- Improved heat resistance for long tool life
- Retains hardness at elevated temperatures
DAC-S vs. DAC vs. H13 vs. 1.2344 (DIN)
| Property | DAC-S | DAC | H13 (AISI) | 1.2344 (DIN) |
| Hardness (Tempered) | 46-52 HRC | 46-52 HRC | 45-50 HRC | 45-50 HRC |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Toughness | Superior | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Thermal Stability | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Superior | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Applications | Die casting, forging, extrusion dies | Die casting, hot work tooling | General hot work tooling | Hot work tooling |
Why Choose DAC-S Over H13?
- Higher toughness and fatigue resistance, reducing the risk of thermal cracking.
- Better performance in high-pressure die casting molds, extending tool life.
- Optimized for repeated thermal cycling, making it more durable than standard H13.
Applications
DAC-S is used in industries requiring high-temperature tool steels with enhanced toughness and wear resistance, such as die casting, forging, and extrusion.
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 for high-temperature plastics
- 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 1,020–1,060°C, followed by oil or air quenching.
Tempering
- Temper at 540–620°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
- DAC (Daido Steel): Standard hot work tool steel for die casting but with slightly lower toughness than DAC-S.
- H13 (AISI): General-purpose hot work tool steel but less thermal fatigue resistant than DAC-S.
- 1.2344 (DIN): European equivalent to H13, commonly used for hot work tools but not as optimized for die casting as DAC-S.
- FDAC (Daido Steel): A pre-hardened version of DAC, eliminating the need for heat treatment.
- DAC-MAGIC (Daido Steel): An advanced version of DAC-S with further improved toughness and wear resistance.
Conclusion
DAC-S is a high-performance hot work tool steel with enhanced toughness, heat resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance compared to standard DAC and H13. It is the ideal choice for high-pressure die casting molds, hot forging dies, and extrusion dies due to its crack resistance, high-temperature strength, and extended tool life.
Best Choice for: Die casting molds, forging dies, and plastic molds requiring superior toughness
Why Choose DAC-S? Better resistance to thermal fatigue cracking and superior mechanical properties than standard DAC and H13
