D3 Tool Steel / DIN 1.2080 – Ideal for Shear Blades, Punches & Dies
Short Description:
D3 Tool Steel / DIN 1.2080 is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold work tool steel known for its excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability. It is ideally used in applications such as shear blades, punches, forming dies, and blanking tools, where high hardness and minimal distortion are essential. Suitable for long-run production under abrasive conditions.
Introduction to D3 Tool Steel
D3 Tool Steel also known by its German designation DIN 1.2080 is a high-carbon high-chromium cold work tool steel that offers outstanding wear resistance and dimensional stability. Due to its excellent hardness and abrasion resistance D3 is widely used in applications such as blanking dies shear blades forming rolls and precision cutting tools. It belongs to the same family as AISI D2 and SKD1 but has higher carbon content which enhances its edge retention in dry or abrasive environments.
International Equivalent Grades
D3 tool steel is recognized globally under different standards and designations. Here is a list of equivalent grades across various countries and systems
DIN EN Germany 1.2080 X210Cr12
AISI USA D3
JIS Japan SKD1
BS UK BD3
ISO International ISO 160CrMoV12
GB China Cr12
These equivalents make it easier for global customers to source D3 steel under familiar specifications.
Chemical Composition of DIN 1.2080
The chemical makeup of D3 tool steel is key to its performance. It contains a high percentage of carbon and chromium providing superior wear resistance and hardness
Carbon 2.00
Chromium 11.50 to 13.00
Manganese 0.60 max
Silicon 0.60 max
Molybdenum 0.30 max
Vanadium 0.30 max
Phosphorus and Sulfur trace elements
This composition enables D3 to form hard carbides during heat treatment resulting in excellent edge strength and cutting ability.
Mechanical Properties of D3 Tool Steel
D3 tool steel delivers exceptional performance under cold working conditions due to its robust mechanical characteristics
Tensile strength up to 850 MPa annealed
Hardness after heat treatment 58 to 62 HRC
High compressive strength
Excellent resistance to galling and wear
Fair impact toughness
Moderate corrosion resistance in dry environments
These mechanical properties make D3 ideal for tooling applications that require high edge retention and minimal distortion.
Heat Treatment Process
Proper heat treatment of D3 tool steel is crucial to achieving desired hardness and performance in tooling operations
Annealing
Temperature 850 to 880 degrees Celsius
Cool slowly in furnace
Hardness after annealing ≤ 229 HB
Hardening
Preheat in two steps 450 to 600 degrees Celsius then 850 to 900 degrees Celsius
Austenitize at 1000 to 1050 degrees Celsius
Quench in oil or air depending on cross-section
Target hardness 58 to 62 HRC
Tempering
Temperature 150 to 200 degrees Celsius
Hold for at least 2 hours
Repeat tempering 2 to 3 times for improved toughness
Sub-zero treatment is optional and can improve dimensional stability further in precision applications.
Main Applications of D3 Tool Steel
Thanks to its wear resistance hardness and edge retention D3 is widely used in tooling and precision forming processes. Key applications include
Shear blades for cutting metal paper and plastics
Punches and dies for blanking and forming stainless steel and hard alloys
Wire drawing dies and forming rolls
Coining dies and embossing tools
Knives and cutters for leather paper plastic and textiles
Mold components for ceramic tile forming and powder pressing
Cold heading dies and bushings
D3 is particularly suitable for high-volume production tools where repeated abrasive contact is expected.
Advantages of Using DIN 1.2080 Tool Steel
Choosing D3 tool steel offers numerous benefits across various industries including manufacturing automotive electronics packaging and heavy machinery
High wear resistance prolongs tool life
Stable hardness minimizes tool distortion during use
Fine grain structure allows excellent dimensional control
High polishability makes it suitable for surface-critical tools
Availability in various sizes and shapes enables flexible machining
Compatible with PVD and CVD surface coatings for added durability
These advantages make D3 a preferred choice for cold work tool steel among toolmakers and end users worldwide.
Comparison with D2 Tool Steel and SKD11
Although D2 1.2379 and SKD11 are popular alternatives to D3 they differ in terms of performance and cost
| Property | D3 Tool Steel | D2 Tool Steel | SKD11 Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Higher | Moderate | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Very High | High | High |
| Toughness | Lower | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good |
| Machinability | Moderate | Better | Better |
| Common Use | Shear blades | Punches dies | Cold forming |
| Cost | Lower | Medium | Medium |
D3 is ideal where maximum hardness and abrasion resistance are required without much impact load. D2 and SKD11 provide a balance between hardness and toughness.
Available Sizes and Forms
At Sakysteel we offer D3 tool steel in multiple forms to meet your production and machining needs
Round bars 20mm to 500mm diameter
Flat bars width up to 800mm
Plates thickness from 10mm to 300mm
Forged blocks for large tooling
Precision ground bars and customized blanks
Cut to size available upon request
We also provide mill test certificates and ultrasonic testing as part of our quality control.
Surface Finish Options
We offer multiple surface finish options to suit different applications
Black hot rolled
Machined peeled or turned
Ground or polished
Annealed or quenched and tempered
Coated for additional corrosion or wear resistance
All surfaces are inspected for quality and marked clearly for traceability.
Quality Standards and Certifications
Our D3 tool steel complies with major international standards and certifications
DIN EN 1.2080
AISI D3
JIS SKD1
ISO 9001 certified production
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate
Optional third-party inspections from SGS TUV BV
RoHS and REACH compliant upon request
We ensure every batch meets your engineering and regulatory requirements.
Packaging and Delivery
To protect the steel during transport and storage we use standard export-grade packaging
Wooden pallets or cases
Plastic film moisture-proof wrapping
Steel straps for fastening
Clearly labeled with heat number size grade and weight
Custom barcodes and labels available
Delivery can be arranged by sea air or express depending on urgency and volume.
Industries Served
D3 tool steel is trusted by professionals in the following industries
Automotive mold and stamping
Aerospace tooling and fixture
Packaging equipment manufacturing
Textile knife and die production
Plastic mold inserts and trimming tools
Defense and heavy machinery components
Precision tooling and die shops
The versatility and hardness of D3 make it suitable for both traditional and advanced manufacturing processes.
Technical Support and Customization
Sakysteel provides technical consultation material selection advice and customized processing services including
Cutting to required length or shape
Rough machining and grinding
Ultrasonic testing and flaw detection
Heat treatment consultation
Surface coating or nitriding
Our team works closely with clients to ensure the tool steel meets exact performance and dimensional expectations.
Why Choose Sakysteel for D3 Tool Steel
With over 20 years of experience in the tool steel industry Sakysteel is a trusted partner for quality reliability and service
Large in-stock inventory
Fast turnaround time
Competitive global pricing
Expert technical support
Export experience to Europe Southeast Asia and South America
Flexible order volumes from trial batches to bulk supply
We support OEMs fabricators mold makers and end users with consistent and certified material.
Request a Quote Today
For pricing technical data or samples contact our sales team. We will respond within 24 hours.
