Steel DC53 · heat-treated state
Steel DC53 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other DC53 tempers.
General-purpose hardened condition for blanking and forming dies.
What is DC53 Q&T?
DC53 Q&T is DC53 heat treated to Q&T — general-purpose hardened condition for blanking and forming dies. DC53 Q&T 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 218 GPa (31.6 Msi). DC53 Q&T 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,900 MPa (276 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 28 MPa·√m (25.5 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
DC53 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC53 Q&T — 13 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 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 218 GPa (31.6 Msi).
Thermal5
DC53 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (20/100).
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 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is DC53 Q&T used for?
DC53 Q&T 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 Q&T?
DC53 Q&T 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 6 listed tempers.
Is DC53 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to small carbides; protect with oil, phosphate, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlTiN/CrN) — no anodizing.
Can DC53 Q&T 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 Q&T?
DC53 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC53 Q&T?
Yes — DC53 Q&T 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.