Steel DC53
DC53 is a Cr8-Mo2-V high-carbon, medium-chromium cold-work tool steel developed by Daido Steel as an improved D2/SKD11: lower carbon and chromium with an optimised Mo-V balance give fine, uniform primary carbides.
Values for the Annealed condition
DC53 tempers and conditions
DC53 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize annealed bar/plate as supplied | Standard stock condition for rough machining before hardening. | 550 | 850 | 12 | 21 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered to 58-60 HRC | Choose for cold forging dies and thick sections where chipping resistance matters more than wear. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 1.5 | 59 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered to 60-62 HRC | Most common working hardness for progressive blanking and punching tools. | 1,800 | 2,100 | 1 | 61 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose hardened condition for blanking and forming dies. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 1 | 61 HRC | — |
Nitrided (after hardening & high-temperature temper) | Use when surface galling/adhesive wear dominates; possible because DC53 is tempered above the nitriding temperature. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 1 | 63 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is DC53?
DC53 is a Cr8-Mo2-V high-carbon, medium-chromium cold-work tool steel developed by Daido Steel as an improved D2/SKD11: lower carbon and chromium with an optimised Mo-V balance give fine, uniform primary carbides. After hardening and tempering it reaches 62–63 HRC with roughly twice the toughness of D2, and high-temperature tempering at 520–530 °C leaves low residual stress, which suits EDM work and pre-coating preparation. Annealed stock runs 550 MPa yield, 850 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and 230 HB (21 HRC), with service to 500 °C. With only 8 % Cr its corrosion resistance is modest and needs rust-preventive oil or coating; weldability is poor and hardened parts can only be ground or EDM cut. DC53 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F). DC53 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
What is DC53 used for?
- Cold blanking dies
- Stamping inserts
- Cold forging dies
- Forming rolls
- Precision punches
- Thread rolling dies
- Trimming dies and shear blades
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
DC53 properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC53-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical2
DC53 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical17
DC53 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal5
DC53 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
DC53 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC53 takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
DC53's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. DC53 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with DC53
Is DC53 easy to machine?
Rough machine in the annealed state with coated carbide at moderate speed; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN/ceramic hard-turning only.
Can DC53 be welded?
Poor weldability — repair only, with 400-500 °C preheat, matching Cr-Mo-V filler, and re-temper immediately at the original tempering temperature.
Can DC53 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; shape by machining/EDM in the annealed state, then vacuum harden 1020-1040 °C, quench and double temper (180-200 °C or 520-530 °C).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to DC53. Every DC53 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor40 / 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 |
DC53 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.9 – 1.05 | 1 |
| Sihigher Si than D2 | 0.7 – 1.05 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Crreduced vs 12% in D2/SKD11 | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Mo | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| V | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on DC53?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
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
How much does DC53 cost?
DC53 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
DC53 — frequently asked
What is DC53 used for?
DC53 is typically used for cold blanking dies, stamping inserts, cold forging dies, forming rolls, precision punches and thread rolling dies. In short: high-toughness tool steel.
What is the yield strength of DC53?
DC53 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is DC53 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Rough machine in the annealed state with coated carbide at moderate speed; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN/ceramic hard-turning only.
Can DC53 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability — repair only, with 400-500 °C preheat, matching Cr-Mo-V filler, and re-temper immediately at the original tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on DC53?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
Can DC53 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; shape by machining/EDM in the annealed state, then vacuum harden 1020-1040 °C, quench and double temper (180-200 °C or 520-530 °C).
What is the maximum service temperature of DC53?
DC53 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does DC53 cost?
DC53 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), 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 DC53?
Yes — DC53 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
- DC53 Cold Work Tool Steel data sheet — Daido Steel (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels (SKD11 reference) — JSA (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — Tool and die steels (Cr8Mo2VSi) — SAC (2014)
- (DC53/SKD11) (2025)
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.