SKD61 Material Detailed Information
SKD61 is a hot work tool steel with excellent toughness, thermal fatigue resistance, and wear resistance. It belongs to the H13 (AISI) / 1.2344 (DIN) equivalent steel category and is widely used for die-casting molds, hot forging dies, and extrusion tools. SKD61 has high heat resistance and thermal conductivity, making it ideal for high-temperature applications.
Key Features
- Excellent Heat Resistance: Performs well under high-temperature applications, maintaining hardness and toughness.
- High Toughness & Strength: Reduces the risk of cracking under mechanical and thermal stress.
- Good Thermal Fatigue Resistance: Ideal for hot work tooling applications.
- Good Wear Resistance: Maintains durability in harsh working environments.
- High Machinability: Easier to cut, grind, and polish compared to some tool steels.
- Good Hardening Properties: Uniform hardness distribution after heat treatment.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.32 – 0.42 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4.50 – 5.50 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.00 – 1.50 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.80 – 1.20 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.80 – 1.20 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 – 0.50 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Hardness (Annealed) | ≤ 235 HB |
| Hardness (Hardened & Tempered) | 48-52 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | 1,500 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 1,200 MPa |
| Elongation | 10-15% |
| Impact Strength | High |
| Thermal Conductivity | 24-28 W/m·K |
SKD61 vs. H13 vs. 1.2344
| Property | SKD61 | H13 (AISI) | 1.2344 (DIN) |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Toughness | High | High | High |
| Wear Resistance | Good | Good | Good |
| Hardness (After Tempering) | 48-52 HRC | 48-52 HRC | 48-52 HRC |
| Thermal Conductivity | 24-28 W/m·K | 24-28 W/m·K | 24-28 W/m·K |
Applications
SKD61 is commonly used in hot work applications, including:
- Die-casting molds (aluminum, zinc, magnesium)
- Hot forging dies
- Plastic mold components (high-temperature applications)
- Extrusion dies and tooling
- Hot shear blades
- Glass mold manufacturing
- Heat-resistant mechanical parts
Heat Treatment Process
Annealing
- Heat at 850–900°C
- Slow cooling in the furnace to below 600°C, then air cooling
Hardening
- Heat to 1,000–1,050°C, hold for proper soaking time
- Quench in oil, air, or vacuum
Tempering
- Heat at 550–650°C
- Temper twice to achieve optimal mechanical properties
- Hardness after tempering: 48-52 HRC
Alternative Materials
- H13 (AISI) / 1.2344 (DIN) – Equivalent steels with nearly identical properties
- 1.2367 – Better high-temperature strength and toughness
- DAC – A modified SKD61 with enhanced toughness for die-casting applications
Conclusion
SKD61 is an excellent hot work tool steel with high heat resistance, good toughness, and wear resistance, making it ideal for die-casting molds, hot forging dies, and high-temperature tools. It is equivalent to H13 (AISI) and 1.2344 (DIN) and is widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and industrial tooling industries.
