In this article, aurvic.com shares with readers about steel grade SKD11 – steel for cold stamping dies. In this article, let's continue to learn about another steel grade with Aurvic, which can be said to be a senior to SKD11 steel, which is SKD61 steel.
As for steel grade SKD11, this is a steel grade specialized in making cold stamping molds, while steel grade SKD61 is a steel line specializing in making hot stamping molds and casting molds. So what characteristics and properties of SKD61 steel are suitable for application in the field just mentioned? Let's find the answer with Aurvic!
Chemical composition
%C | %Mn | %Cr | %Mo | %V |
0.35-0.42 | 0.25-5.0 | 4.8-5.5 | 1.0-1.5 | 0.8-1.15 |
In SKD61 steel, molybdenum and vanadium act as strengthening agents. The chromium content helps SKD61 steel resist softening and abrasion when used at high temperatures.
Heat treatment conditions SKD61 steel
- ₋ Hardness after tempering at 750oC – 800oC : 230HB
- ₋ Tempered at 1020oC - 1050oC, cooled in air or oil 500oC – 550oC : 1910N/mm2
- ₋ Hardness after me: 54 HRC
- ₋ Hardness after tempering 150oC – 200oC : 53 HRC
- ₋ Stress: 1850 N/mm2
- ₋ Hardness after tempering 500oC – 550oC : 56 HRC
- ₋ Stress : 2050N/mm2
SKD61 steel offers an excellent combination of shock and wear resistance, while also having good hardness. It is resistant to rapid cooling and resists premature heat testing. SKD61 steel has good ductility, machinability and weldability, and can be formed by conventional means. Because SKD61 steel combines excellent toughness and wear resistance, SKD61 steel is used more than any other tool steel in tooling applications.
Application of SKD61 Steel
As mentioned above, SKD61 steel is suitable for making hot stamping dies and casting molds, specifically it is applied in the following cases:
– Commonly used in hot processing.
– Pressure casting mold
– Metal extrusion head for light metals
– Forging mold
– Plastic industry cylinders
– Ejector core, furnace head, hot cutting knife
What are hot stamping molds and casting molds?
Hot stamping molds are used to process metal under pressure in a hot state, when the raw material will be heated to the maximum allowable temperature. The workpiece will then be put into the mold until it reaches the minimum temperature to produce details and products with the designed shape and size.
With the main use of shaping products at high temperatures, the structural composition of hot stamping molds requires more stringent requirements. In addition to being durable and hard to withstand good pressure to be able to shape products, hot stamping molds must be able to withstand high temperatures. Normally, the raw material will be heated to increase the temperature for ease of processing and then put into the mold to shape. Therefore, mold materials must be special materials that can withstand heat well but still must ensure hardness to be able to stamp finished materials.
A mold is a special material that can mold liquid objects into shape. When metal, molten plastic, or any molten substance is poured or pressed into a mold, it turns into a solid object. Depending on the specific requirements of the product to be molded, the mold will have different shapes and sizes according to the specific technical requirements of each product.