Steel SKD11 · heat-treated state
Steel SKD11 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other SKD11 tempers.
General-purpose die condition: best balance of wear resistance and toughness for blanking and forming tools.
What is SKD11 Q&T?
SKD11 Q&T is SKD11 heat treated to Q&T — general-purpose die condition: best balance of wear resistance and toughness for blanking and forming tools. SKD11 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKD11 Q&T 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; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,750 MPa (254 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, 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
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
SKD11 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKD11 Q&T — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SKD11 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SKD11 Q&T 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).
Mechanical14
SKD11 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKD11 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKD11 Q&T conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 93% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKD11 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 40%.
Manufacturability8
SKD11 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 SKD11 tempers and conditions
SKD11 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SKD11 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB.500 MPa yield · 225 HB
- Hardened & TemperedMaximum-hardness condition for high-wear blanking, thread rolls and shear knives on stiff presses.1,900 MPa yield · 61 HRC
- Q&TGeneral-purpose die condition: best balance of wear resistance and toughness for blanking and forming tools.1,750 MPa yield · 59 HRC
- H&T 55-58 HRCChoose when chipping/cracking is the failure mode rather than wear (heavy blanking, cold-forming punches).1,600 MPa yield · 57 HRC
Working with SKD11 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is SKD11 Q&T used for?
SKD11 Q&T 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 Q&T?
SKD11 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is SKD11 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, 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 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
SKD11 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 SKD11 Q&T?
Yes — SKD11 Q&T 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.