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Steel SKD1 QT62-64

Heat-treated state

JIS SKD1 · AISI/SAE D3

QT62-64 = hardened & tempered 62–64 HRC

Maximum wear resistance for blanking punches and dies cutting thin, abrasive material — lowest toughness.

Standard cost $$

Values for the QT62-64 condition

Other SKD1 tempers and conditions

SKD1 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at SKD1.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ESR (electroslag remelted) annealed bar
Premium remelted stock with finer, less banded carbides — pick for large dies, better polish and more isotropic toughness.4557701421 HRC2.7 % IACS
ANNDefault
Annealed
The as-supplied stock condition for machining dies before hardening.4607801222 HRC—
Stress relieved
Intermediate step after rough machining of large dies to minimise hardening distortion.4707901123 HRC2.7 % IACS
Hardened & tempered 55–58 HRC
Higher-temper condition used when dimensional stability or nitriding follow-up matters more than peak hardness.1,6201,850157 HRC2.6 % IACS
Hardened & tempered 58–60 HRC
Slightly tougher setting for heavier sections and shock-loaded shear blades.—1,950—59 HRC—
Hardened + deep-freeze (−75 to −196 °C) + tempered, 63–65 HRC
Choose when retained austenite must be removed for maximum hardness and long-term size stability (gauges, precision punches).2,0002,3000.564 HRC2.6 % IACS
Hardened & tempered 60–62 HRC
The usual working hardness for cold-forming, drawing and thread-rolling tools.—2,100—61 HRC—
QT62-64This page
Hardened & tempered 62–64 HRC
Maximum wear resistance for blanking punches and dies cutting thin, abrasive material — lowest toughness.—2,2500.563 HRC—

What is SKD1 QT62-64?

SKD1 QT62-64 is SKD1 heat treated to QT62-64 — maximum wear resistance for blanking punches and dies cutting thin, abrasive material — lowest toughness. SKD1 QT62-64 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,250 MPa (326 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SKD1 QT62-64 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,270°C (2,318 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT62-64 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 14 MPa·√m (12.7 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades

SKD1 QT62-64 properties

Typical room-temperature values for SKD1 QT62-64; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SKD1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SKD1 QT62-64 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,270°C (2,318 °F).

Density7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,270°C2,318 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,400°C2,552 °F

Mechanical16

SKD1 QT62-64 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,250 MPa (326 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,250 MPa326 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)460 MPa66.7 ksi
Elongation at Break0.5%
Reduction in Area20%
Compressive Strength3,100 MPa450 ksi
Shear Strength1,350 MPa196 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)750 MPa109 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)6 J4.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell235 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C63 HRC
Hardness, Vickers790 HV

Thermal6

SKD1 QT62-64 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity20 W/m·K11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

SKD1 QT62-64 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.4 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNot stainless — the 12 % Cr is mostly tied up as M7C3 carbide, so the matrix rusts in humid air and any acid or chloride exposure; oil or phosphate/nitride protection is standard for stored dies.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SKD1 QT62-64 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability8

SKD1 QT62-64's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)3%
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
CastabilityPoor25/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair35/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use nitriding, PVD (TiN/CrN) or black oxide instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with SKD1 QT62-64

Is SKD1 easy to machine?

Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated-carbide tooling, moderate speeds and generous coolant; hardened SKD1 must be ground or EDM'd, and stress-relieve rough-machined dies before hardening.

Can SKD1 be welded?

Essentially a repair-only operation: preheat to 300–400 °C, use matched high-Cr tool-steel electrodes, keep interpass hot and temper immediately — cold-cracking risk is high.

Can SKD1 be formed, bent or molded?

No cold forming; hot work between about 1050 and 900 °C with slow furnace cooling followed by spheroidize annealing at 850–870 °C.

What surface finishes work on SKD1?

Harden 950–980 °C, oil or pressurised-gas quench, temper twice at 150–250 °C (deep-freeze if size stability is critical); finish with grinding, then nitriding, PVD TiN/CrN or black oxide for wear and light corrosion protection.

SKD1 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CAISI D3 range is 2.00–2.351.8 – 2.42.1
Si≤ 0.40.3
Mn≤ 0.60.35
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.030.02
Crsome JIS/vendor tables quote up to 15 %; D3 is 11.00–13.5011 – 1312
Monot intentionally added; residual/optional≤ 0.6—
Voptional in D3≤ 1—
Woptional in D3≤ 1—
Niresidual≤ 0.5—
Curesidual≤ 0.25—
Febalance—

SKD1 QT62-64 — frequently asked

What is SKD1 QT62-64 used for?

SKD1 QT62-64 is typically used for cold forming dies, thread rolling dies and blanking punches. In short: highest wear resistance, cold-work; D3 equivalent, oil/air hardening; low toughness and machinability.

What is the yield strength of SKD1 QT62-64?

SKD1 QT62-64 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,250 MPa (326 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is SKD1 QT62-64 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated-carbide tooling, moderate speeds and generous coolant; hardened SKD1 must be ground or EDM'd, and stress-relieve rough-machined dies before hardening.

Can SKD1 QT62-64 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially a repair-only operation: preheat to 300–400 °C, use matched high-Cr tool-steel electrodes, keep interpass hot and temper immediately — cold-cracking risk is high.

What surface finishes work on SKD1 QT62-64?

Harden 950–980 °C, oil or pressurised-gas quench, temper twice at 150–250 °C (deep-freeze if size stability is critical); finish with grinding, then nitriding, PVD TiN/CrN or black oxide for wear and light corrosion protection.

Can SKD1 QT62-64 be formed, bent or molded?

No cold forming; hot work between about 1050 and 900 °C with slow furnace cooling followed by spheroidize annealing at 850–870 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of SKD1 QT62-64?

SKD1 QT62-64 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between SKD1-ANN and SKD1 QT-CRYO?

ANN is the default condition — the as-supplied stock condition for machining dies before hardening. QT-CRYO: choose when retained austenite must be removed for maximum hardness and long-term size stability (gauges, precision punches). Yield strength is 460 MPa in ANN versus 2,000 MPa in QT-CRYO.

Sources

  1. JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels — Japanese Standards Association (2015)
  2. ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (Type D3) — ASTM International (2015)
  3. GB/T 1299 — (Cr12) — SAC (2014)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (Cold-Work Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining (machinability ratings of tool steels) — ASM International (1989)
  6. 1.2080 / D3 cold-work tool steel datasheet — Böhler / Daido / Hitachi Metals equivalents (2022)

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.