D3

Blanking and Forming Dies – Used for high-volume stamping and forming operations with abrasive materials. Slitting and Shear Blades – Ideal for cutting operations requiring long-lasting sharpness. Drawing Dies – Suitable for wire drawing and other forming tasks under abrasive conditions. Cold Extrusion Tooling – Maintains wear resistance and dimensional stability under pressure. Cutting Tools – Used in machining abrasive materials and components needing high hardness. Powder Metallurgy Tools – Supports high wear and maintains precision in powder compaction. Plastic Molds – For high-wear molding applications requiring hardness and stability. Roller Dies – Used in rolling operations where wear resistance is critical. Slitting Knives – Maintains sharpness when cutting abrasive sheets or strips. Industrial Knives – Applied in paper, leather, and textile industries for cutting abrasive products.

We are a reliable dealer, supplier, and stockist of D3 Cold Work Steel, serving various industries that demand high-performance tooling materials. Our stock includes D3 in multiple forms such as round bars, flat bars, plates, and custom sizes to meet your precise requirements. With a focus on quality assurance and timely delivery, we source D3 steel from trusted manufacturers to ensure consistent chemical composition and mechanical properties. Our D3 steel is ideal for use in tool and die making, automotive, manufacturing, and metal forming sectors.

Annealed Condition: Typically around 200–230 HB (Brinell Hardness), making it easier to machine. Hardened Condition: After proper heat treatment, D3 can achieve hardness levels of 58 to 64 HRC (Rockwell Hardness), providing excellent wear resistance. Tempering: Tempering temperature controls the balance between hardness and toughness. Higher tempering reduces hardness slightly but improves toughness and dimensional stability.

Annealing: Heat the steel to 780–820°C. Hold until fully heated through. Cool slowly in the furnace to soften the steel and improve machinability. Hardening (Austenitizing): Heat to 1000–1020°C. Soak until temperature is uniform throughout the piece. Quench in oil or air (air quenching preferred to reduce distortion). Tempering: Temper immediately after hardening to reduce brittleness. Typical tempering temperatures range from 150 to 550°C, depending on desired hardness and toughness. Double tempering is often recommended for best results. Stress Relieving: After rough machining, heat to around 600–650°C and hold for 1–2 hours, then air cool. Reduces internal stresses before final hardening.

Preheating: Heat the steel gradually in stages to reduce thermal stress: • First stage: 450–500°C • Second stage: 800–850°C Austenitizing (Hardening Temperature): Heat the steel to 1000–1020°C Hold until fully austenitized, usually for 20–30 minutes depending on size. Quenching: Quench in oil or air (air quenching preferred to reduce distortion). Rapid cooling transforms the steel’s microstructure to hard martensite. Tempering: Immediately temper after quenching to reduce brittleness. Temper between 150–550°C based on desired balance of hardness and toughness. Double tempering is recommended for dimensional stability.

Preheating: Preheat the steel to 250–400°C to reduce thermal shock and prevent cracking. Filler Material: Use compatible filler metals designed for high-carbon, high-chromium steels. Welding Process: Use low heat input processes such as TIG (GTAW) or MIG (GMAW) to minimize heat-affected zone size. Maintain controlled welding speed and interpass temperatures. Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT): Stress-relieve by tempering at 550–600°C immediately after welding to reduce residual stresses and restore toughness. Avoid Welding Hardened D3: If necessary, anneal the steel before welding to reduce hardness and brittleness.

Machinability Rating: Around 40–50% relative to free-machining steels, meaning it is considerably tougher to cut. Tooling Recommendations: Use carbide or ceramic cutting tools for best results. High-Speed Steel (HSS) tools may be used but will wear quickly. Ensure a rigid setup to minimize vibration and tool wear. Cooling and Lubrication: Use ample coolant (preferably oil-based) to reduce heat and improve tool life. Machining State: Machine in the annealed condition (~200 HB) for easier cutting. Finish machining can be done by grinding or EDM after hardening.