Steel DC53 · temper · default condition
Steel DC53 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other DC53 tempers.
Standard stock condition for rough machining before hardening.
What is DC53 Annealed?
DC53 Annealed is DC53 in the Annealed temper — standard stock condition for rough machining before hardening. DC53 Annealed 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 218 GPa (31.6 Msi). DC53 Annealed has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 91% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
DC53 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC53 Annealed — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every DC53 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical2
DC53 Annealed has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical15
DC53 Annealed 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 218 GPa (31.6 Msi).
Thermal5
DC53 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
DC53 Annealed has an electrical resistivity of 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 91% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC53 Annealed takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
DC53 Annealed's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 76% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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.
Other DC53 tempers and conditions
DC53 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the DC53 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for rough machining before hardening.550 MPa yield · 21 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedPick for maximum hardness with low residual stress before EDM, nitriding or PVD coating.2,200 MPa tensile
- HT 58-60 HRCChoose for cold forging dies and thick sections where chipping resistance matters more than wear.1,950 MPa tensile
- Q&TGeneral-purpose hardened condition for blanking and forming dies.1,900 MPa yield · 61 HRC
Working with DC53 Annealed
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).
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.
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 | — |
DC53 Annealed — frequently asked
What is DC53 Annealed used for?
DC53 Annealed 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 Annealed?
DC53 Annealed 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 6 listed tempers.
Is DC53 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 76% 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 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). 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 Annealed?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
Can DC53 Annealed 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 Annealed?
DC53 Annealed 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC53 Annealed?
Yes — DC53 Annealed is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.