Steel SKD11 Cryo
Heat-treated state
JIS SKD11 · EN 1.2379
Cryo = hardened, deep cryogenic treatment (−150 to −196 °C), then tempered ~62…
Used where retained austenite must be removed for dimensional stability and extra wear life on precision dies.
Values for the Cryo condition
Other SKD11 tempers and conditions
SKD11 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at SKD11.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft-annealed (spheroidized) supply condition | Standard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB. | 500 | 820 | 12 | 20 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Higher temper (300–500 °C) for tougher tooling | Choose when chipping/cracking is the failure mode rather than wear (heavy blanking, cold-forming punches). | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2 | 57 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose die condition: best balance of wear resistance and toughness for blanking and forming tools. | 1,750 | 1,950 | 1.5 | 59 HRC | — |
hardened & tempered core plus gas/plasma nitrided case | Adds a 900–1200 HV case for galling and abrasive wear on forming dies; core properties as Q&T. | 1,800 | 2,000 | 1 | 59 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
CryoThis page Hardened, deep cryogenic treatment (−150 to −196 °C), then tempered ~62… | Used where retained austenite must be removed for dimensional stability and extra wear life on precision dies. | 1,950 | 2,150 | 0.5 | 62 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is SKD11 Cryo?
SKD11 Cryo is SKD11 heat treated to Cryo — used where retained austenite must be removed for dimensional stability and extra wear life on precision dies. SKD11 Cryo has a yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKD11 Cryo has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cryo is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,950 MPa (283 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
SKD11 Cryo properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKD11 Cryo; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SKD11 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SKD11 Cryo has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F).
Mechanical17
SKD11 Cryo has a yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKD11 Cryo is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 19 W/m·K (11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKD11 Cryo conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKD11 Cryo takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
SKD11 Cryo's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with SKD11 Cryo
Is SKD11 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state with rigid setups and coated carbide (or CBN/grinding + EDM after hardening); allow 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for hardening growth.
Can SKD11 be welded?
Avoid production welding; for repairs preheat to 300–450 °C, use matching or 12 %-Cr tool-steel electrodes, weld hot and temper immediately.
Can SKD11 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling and full soft-anneal (830–870 °C, slow cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
What surface finishes work on SKD11?
Polishes to mirror finish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/AlCrN — do not chrome-plate without stress-relief.
SKD11 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 | 1.4 – 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| Mo | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| V | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Niresidual, some specs | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
SKD11 Cryo — frequently asked
What is SKD11 Cryo used for?
SKD11 Cryo is typically used for cold blanking dies, piercing punches, forming and draw dies, thread rolling dies, shear and slitter blades and plastic mould inserts. In short: workhorse cold-work tool.
What is the yield strength of SKD11 Cryo?
SKD11 Cryo has a typical yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is SKD11 Cryo easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state with rigid setups and coated carbide (or CBN/grinding + EDM after hardening); allow 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for hardening growth.
Can SKD11 Cryo be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Avoid production welding; for repairs preheat to 300–450 °C, use matching or 12 %-Cr tool-steel electrodes, weld hot and temper immediately.
What surface finishes work on SKD11 Cryo?
Polishes to mirror finish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/AlCrN — do not chrome-plate without stress-relief.
Can SKD11 Cryo be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling and full soft-anneal (830–870 °C, slow cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKD11 Cryo?
SKD11 Cryo 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.
What is the difference between SKD11 Annealed and SKD11 Cryo?
Annealed is the default condition — standard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB. Cryo: used where retained austenite must be removed for dimensional stability and extra wear life on precision dies. Yield strength is 500 MPa in Annealed versus 1,950 MPa in Cryo.
Can FabDigit make parts in SKD11 Cryo?
Yes — SKD11 Cryo is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels — JSA (2015)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels (Type D2) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (Cr12Mo1V1) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Böhler K110 (1.2379) cold work tool steel datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Daido DC11 / SKD11 tool steel datasheet — Daido Steel (2021)
- SKD11/Cr12Mo1V1 — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
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.