Steel DC53 Nitrided
Finish state
Use when surface galling/adhesive wear dominates; possible because DC53 is tempered above the nitriding temperature.
Values for the Nitrided condition
Other DC53 tempers and conditions
DC53 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at DC53.
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 | — |
NitridedThis page 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 Nitrided?
DC53 Nitrided is DC53 supplied in the Nitrided condition — use when surface galling/adhesive wear dominates; possible because DC53 is tempered above the nitriding temperature. DC53 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). DC53 Nitrided 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; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,900 MPa (276 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 35/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
DC53 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC53 Nitrided; 21 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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal5
DC53 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
DC53 Nitrided conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC53 Nitrided 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 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with DC53 Nitrided
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 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is DC53 Nitrided used for?
DC53 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
DC53 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is DC53 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, 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 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). 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 Nitrided?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
Can DC53 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
DC53 Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC53 Nitrided?
Yes — DC53 Nitrided 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.