Steel D3
AISI/SAE D3 · UNS T30403 · EN 1.2080, X210Cr12 · JIS SKD1 · GB Cr12
D3 is a high-carbon (≈2.1 % C), high-chromium (≈12 % Cr) cold-work tool steel that develops a very heavy chromium-carbide network, giving outstanding abrasion resistance at 58–64 HRC.
Values for the Annealed condition
D3 tempers and conditions
D3 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (spheroidized) supply condition, ≤255 HB | Standard mill/stockist condition for machining and die sinking before hardening. | 460 | 800 | 14 | 20 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
as-hot-worked, not annealed | Rough bar or forging blanks supplied before soft annealing; must be annealed before machining. | 720 | 1,100 | 4 | 35 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Deep-cryogenic treated & double tempered | Choose when dimensional stability and maximum wear life are critical (gauges, long-run blanking punches). | 1,800 | 1,900 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
oil quenched from 950–980 °C, tempered 180–200 °C, 60–64 HRC | Pick for maximum wear resistance on blanking, trimming and drawing dies with light shock loading. | 2,100 | 0.5 | 62 HRC | — |
What is D3?
D3 is a high-carbon (≈2.1 % C), high-chromium (≈12 % Cr) cold-work tool steel that develops a very heavy chromium-carbide network, giving outstanding abrasion resistance at 58–64 HRC. It is oil (or warm-oil/salt) hardened and is chosen for long-run blanking, trimming and cold-forming tooling, drawing dies, shear blades and cold-heading tools where wear life dominates. Its limits are low toughness and poor resistance to shock or heavy interrupted cuts, only modest size stability compared with the air-hardening D2, poor machinability in the hardened state (grinding/EDM required) and no useful hot hardness above ~200–250 °C. D3 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F). D3 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is D3 used for?
- Cold blanking and piercing dies
- Trimming dies
- Drawing and forming dies
- Shear blades
- Cold-heading tools
- Thread rolling dies
- Forming rollers and wear plates
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 28 MPa·√m (25.5 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
D3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for D3-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
D3 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F).
Mechanical17
D3 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
D3 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
D3 conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of D3 takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
D3's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. D3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with D3
Is D3 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; the coarse Cr-carbide network is highly abrasive, and hardened parts require grinding, EDM or wire EDM.
Can D3 be welded?
Not intended for structural welding; repair only with matched high-alloy electrodes at 400–500 °C preheat followed by slow cool and re-temper to avoid cracking.
Can D3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate soft annealing at 800–850 °C; no meaningful cold formability, and heavy carbide banding makes forging reduction important for tool life.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to D3. Every D3 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
D3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C1.2080: 1.90–2.20 | 2 – 2.35 | 2.1 |
| Cr1.2080: 11.0–12.0 | 11 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Voptional in ASTM A681; absent in 1.2080 | ≤ 1 | 0.2 |
| Woptional in ASTM A681 | ≤ 1 | |
| Moresidual/optional | ≤ 1 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on D3?
Finish by grinding/lapping and polish for die surfaces; protect with oil, black oxide or phosphating, and use nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN/TiCN) below the tempering temperature for extra wear life.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel D3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does D3 cost?
D3 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
D3 — frequently asked
What is D3 used for?
D3 is typically used for cold blanking and piercing dies, trimming dies, drawing and forming dies, shear blades, cold-heading tools and thread rolling dies. In short: cold-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of D3?
D3 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is D3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; the coarse Cr-carbide network is highly abrasive, and hardened parts require grinding, EDM or wire EDM.
Can D3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not intended for structural welding; repair only with matched high-alloy electrodes at 400–500 °C preheat followed by slow cool and re-temper to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on D3?
Finish by grinding/lapping and polish for die surfaces; protect with oil, black oxide or phosphating, and use nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN/TiCN) below the tempering temperature for extra wear life.
Can D3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate soft annealing at 800–850 °C; no meaningful cold formability, and heavy carbide banding makes forging reduction important for tool life.
What is the maximum service temperature of D3?
D3 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does D3 cost?
D3 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in D3?
Yes — D3 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- DIN EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X210Cr12 / 1.2080) — ISO/DIN (2018)
- GB/T 1299 (Cr12) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Cold-work tool steel 1.2080 / X210Cr12 datasheet — Böhler / voestalpine (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.