SKD-11 Material

Introduction to SKD-11 Material

SKD-11 is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold-work tool steel, known for its high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good toughness. It is widely used in mold manufacturing, cutting tools, and precision components. Below is a detailed introduction to SKD-11 material:

1. Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of SKD-11 includes:

Carbon (C): 1.40%~1.60% – Provides high hardness and wear resistance.

Chromium (Cr): 11.00%~13.00% – Enhances wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and hardenability.

Molybdenum (Mo): 0.70%~1.20% – Improves toughness and wear resistance.

Vanadium (V): 0.20%~0.50% – Refines grain structure, enhancing wear resistance and toughness.

Silicon (Si): 0.30%~0.60% – Increases strength and elasticity.

Manganese (Mn): 0.30%~0.60% – Improves hardenability and strength.

2. Key Properties

High Hardness: After heat treatment, SKD-11 can achieve a hardness of 58-62 HRC, making it suitable for high-wear applications.

Excellent Wear Resistance: High carbon and chromium content provide outstanding performance in abrasive environments.

Good Toughness: Despite its high hardness, SKD-11 maintains a certain level of toughness, allowing it to withstand impact loads.

Heat Resistance: Retains good hardness and strength at elevated temperatures, suitable for high-temperature processing.

Machinability: Easy to machine in the annealed state, but becomes more difficult after quenching.

3. Heat Treatment

Annealing: Annealed hardness is approximately 235 HB, making it easier to machine.

Quenching: Typically quenched in oil or air at 980°C~1040°C to achieve high hardness.

Tempering: Tempering is usually performed at 180°C~250°C, maintaining a hardness of 58-62 HRC.

4. Applications

Mold Manufacturing: Used for high-wear molds such as stamping dies, cold forging dies, and press brake dies.

Cutting Tools: Ideal for high-precision cutting tools like knives, drills, and milling cutters.

Precision Components: Suitable for high-precision, high-wear mechanical parts such as bearings and guides.

Plastic Molds: Due to its high hardness and wear resistance, it is commonly used in injection molds and extrusion molds.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

High hardness and wear resistance, suitable for high-load environments.

High compressive strength, capable of withstanding significant pressure.

Moderate corrosion resistance.

Disadvantages:

Relatively low toughness, may fracture under heavy impact.

Poor weldability, requiring special welding techniques.

6. Comparison with Other Materials

Compared to D2 Steel: SKD-11 has a similar composition to D2 steel but offers better toughness and wear resistance.

Compared to A2 Steel: SKD-11 has higher hardness and wear resistance but slightly lower toughness.

Compared to Carbide: SKD-11 has better toughness but lower hardness and wear resistance.

Conclusion

SKD-11 is a high-performance cold-work tool steel, widely used in mold manufacturing, cutting tools, and precision components due to its high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good toughness. While it has some limitations in toughness and weldability, SKD-11 remains an ideal choice for high-wear, high-precision applications.