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Steel D7 HT-61

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE D7 · UNS T30407

HT-61 = hardened & tempered ~300–425 °C

Slightly softer, less brittle setting for dies with some edge loading or larger sections.

High cost $$$$

Values for the HT-61 condition

Other D7 tempers and conditions

D7 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at D7.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ANNDefault
Annealed
Standard mill supply condition for rough machining before hardening; still hard to cut due to massive V/Cr carbides.5008601024 HRC—
Hardened & double tempered 510–540 °C
Use when the tool must resist warm working, nitriding or PVD coating temperatures near 500 °C.1,7501,950159 HRC—
HT-61This page
Hardened & tempered ~300–425 °C
Slightly softer, less brittle setting for dies with some edge loading or larger sections.1,8502,050160 HRC—
Hardened + deep cryogenic (−80 to −196 °C) + double temper
Specify when retained austenite must be minimized for dimensional stability and top abrasion life on gauge/press tooling.1,9002,2500.565 HRC2.5 % IACS
Hardened & tempered 150–260 °C
Standard working condition: austenitize ~1010–1065 °C, air/oil quench, low temper — pick for maximum abrasion life where impact is minimal.2,0002,2000.564 HRC20 W/m·K

What is D7 HT-61?

D7 HT-61 is D7 heat treated to HT-61 — slightly softer, less brittle setting for dies with some edge loading or larger sections. D7 HT-61 has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). D7 HT-61 has a density of 7.67 g/cm³ (0.277 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT-61 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades

D7 HT-61 properties

Typical room-temperature values for D7 HT-61; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are D7 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

D7 HT-61 has a density of 7.67 g/cm³ (0.277 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F).

Density7.67 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,250°C2,282 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,380°C2,516 °F

Mechanical16

D7 HT-61 has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,050 MPa297 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,850 MPa268 ksi
Elongation at Break1%
Reduction in Area15%
Compressive Strength2,400 MPa348 ksi
Shear Strength1,200 MPa174 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)700 MPa102 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)4 J3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell248 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C60 HRC
Hardness, Vickers700 HV

Thermal6

D7 HT-61 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity20 W/m·K11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

D7 HT-61 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.4 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor22/100
Chemical Resistance SummarySemi-stainless only: resists staining and light humidity better than plain carbon tool steels, but rusts in condensation, chlorides or acids; must be oiled/coated in storage and is not a stainless grade.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of D7 HT-61 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content45%

Manufacturability6

D7 HT-61's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)25%
WeldabilityNot recommended12/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor30/100
PolishabilityFair50/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with D7 HT-61

Is D7 easy to machine?

Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and TiAlN-coated carbide or CBN; after hardening plan on grinding (CBN/SG wheels), EDM or wire EDM.

Can D7 be welded?

Essentially not weldable for structural joints; repair-weld only preheated to 300–400 °C with matching high-alloy filler and immediate re-temper.

Can D7 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1050–900 °C with slow, uniform reduction and immediate slow cool/anneal; no cold forming — the carbide network cracks.

What surface finishes work on D7?

Takes a good but not mirror finish (primary carbides pull out); commonly nitrided or PVD (TiCN/AlCrN) coated, and must be oiled or coated for rust protection.

D7 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CASTM A681 D72.15 – 2.52.35
Mn0.2 – 0.80.5
Si0.1 – 0.60.4
Cr11.5 – 13.512.5
Mo0.7 – 1.21
Vforms MC vanadium carbides — source of abrasion resistance3.8 – 4.44
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

D7 HT-61 — frequently asked

What is D7 HT-61 used for?

D7 HT-61 is typically used for abrasive-wear dies, brick molds, extreme wear liners and long-run blanking punches. In short: most wear-resistant D-series; highest vanadium cold-work steel; grind hardened, do not mill.

What is the yield strength of D7 HT-61?

D7 HT-61 has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is D7 HT-61 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and TiAlN-coated carbide or CBN; after hardening plan on grinding (CBN/SG wheels), EDM or wire EDM.

Can D7 HT-61 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Essentially not weldable for structural joints; repair-weld only preheated to 300–400 °C with matching high-alloy filler and immediate re-temper.

What surface finishes work on D7 HT-61?

Takes a good but not mirror finish (primary carbides pull out); commonly nitrided or PVD (TiCN/AlCrN) coated, and must be oiled or coated for rust protection.

Can D7 HT-61 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1050–900 °C with slow, uniform reduction and immediate slow cool/anneal; no cold forming — the carbide network cracks.

What is the maximum service temperature of D7 HT-61?

D7 HT-61 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between D7-ANN and D7 HT-64?

ANN is the default condition — standard mill supply condition for rough machining before hardening; still hard to cut due to massive V/Cr carbides. HT-64: standard working condition: austenitize ~1010–1065 °C, air/oil quench, low temper — pick for maximum abrasion life where impact is minimal. Yield strength is 500 MPa in ANN versus 2,000 MPa in HT-64.

Sources

  1. ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
  2. DIN EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X205CrMoV12-1 / 1.2378 nearest EN grade) — ISO/DIN (2018)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  4. Tool Steels, 5th ed. (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) — ASM International (1998)
  5. Cold-work tool steel datasheets (D-series / 1.2378 heat-treatment and hardness data) — various tool-steel producers (2023)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.