Material and process review
Common Material References
Grade, supply condition, heat treatment and final properties are confirmed together against the drawing, section size and service conditions.
Grade Reference
The values below are typical references for common conditions, not guarantees of hardness, tool life or performance. Actual results follow material certification, test pieces or agreed technical requirements.
Cr12MoV
Cold-work die steelA common starting point where wear resistance and dimensional stability matter for stamping, drawing and precision blanking parts.
- Typical hardness
- 58-62 HRC
- Common uses
- Stamping dies, Drawing dies, Precision blanking
SKD11
Cold-work die steelOften considered for mold working parts that need a balance of wear resistance, toughness and heat-treatment stability.
- Typical hardness
- 58-62 HRC
- Common uses
- Precision stamping, Cold-heading dies, Shearing tools
D2
Cold-work tool steelMay suit high-wear applications, with toughness and heat-treatment route reviewed against section size and loading.
- Typical hardness
- 58-62 HRC
- Common uses
- Blanking dies, Wire-drawing dies, Gauges
45# steel
Medium-carbon structural steelCommon for general shafts and structural parts. Final properties depend on supply condition and the agreed tempering or surface-hardening route.
- Typical hardness
- Confirmed from supply condition and heat-treatment requirements
- Common uses
- Shafts, Gear blanks, General structural parts
P20
Pre-hardened plastic mold steelOften considered for injection and extrusion tooling, subject to polishing, weld-repair and surface-treatment requirements.
- Typical hardness
- 28-32 HRC
- Common uses
- Injection molds, Extrusion tooling, Blow molds
SKH51
High-speed tool steelUsed where hot hardness and wear resistance matter for cutting-tool parts. Heat treatment is reviewed against section, edge geometry and service temperature.
- Typical hardness
- 62-65 HRC
- Common uses
- Drills, Milling cutters, Broaches
Start with the application
Material Selection Starting Points
These grade combinations support an initial conversation. Final selection still requires review of drawings, loading, volume, failure mode and inspection requirements.
Stamping dies
Initial grade candidates
Cr12MoV, SKD11, D2
Review wear, toughness, edge geometry and expected production volume together.
Injection molds
Initial grade candidates
P20
Confirm cavity complexity, polish class, weld repair and surface treatment requirements.
Drawing dies
Initial grade candidates
SKD11, Cr12MoV
Focus review on toughness, wear, lubrication and cracking risk.
Let the Drawing and Service Conditions Lead
Share the drawing, preferred grade, target hardness, quantity and service conditions. We will use them to confirm process fit, heat-treatment route and inspection requirements.