Steel DC53 HT 60-62 HRC
Hardness band
HT 60-62 HRC = hardened & tempered to 60-62 HRC
Most common working hardness for progressive blanking and punching tools.
Values for the HT 60-62 HRC condition
Other DC53 tempers and conditions
DC53 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at DC53.
- Annealed
- HT 58-60 HRC
- HT 60-62 HRC
- Q&T
- Nitrided
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 |
HT 60-62 HRCThis page 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 HT 60-62 HRC?
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC is DC53 heat treated to HT 60-62 HRC — most common working hardness for progressive blanking and punching tools. DC53 HT 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi). DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT 60-62 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 25 MPa·√m (22.8 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of steel grades
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC53 HT 60-62 HRC; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are DC53 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical2
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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 HT 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi).
Thermal5
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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 HT 60-62 HRC's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with DC53 HT 60-62 HRC
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 HT 60-62 HRC — frequently asked
What is DC53 HT 60-62 HRC used for?
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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 HT 60-62 HRC?
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is DC53 HT 60-62 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% 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 HT 60-62 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). 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 HT 60-62 HRC?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
Can DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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 HT 60-62 HRC?
DC53 HT 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC53 HT 60-62 HRC?
Yes — DC53 HT 60-62 HRC 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.