Plastic Shredder Blade Guide: Best Materials for Recycling
Our SKD-11 blades are precisely processed with vacuum heat treatment to reach a stable hardness of 58–62 HRC, delivering exceptional wear resistance and edge stability for industrial recycling and shredding operations.
1. Key Choices: 3 Main Materials for Plastic Recycling Tools
Simple picks for common plastics (perfect for crusher knife replacement).
Hard Plastics (ABS, PET, PVC)
Material: SKD-11 (High-Carbon High-Chromium Alloy Steel)
Best for hard, tough plastics (ideal for PET bottle granulator blades)
Core material characteristics: Extremely high hardness, superior wear resistance, and excellent toughness
Stays sharp longer, reducing blade replacement frequency for all hardened industrial blades
Prevents chipping or breaking in shredder blades, granulator knives and plastic crusher blades
Processed with professional heat treatment to ensure stable performance in heavy-duty recycling
Soft Plastics (PE, PP, Films)
Material: 9CrSi
Great for thin, stretchy films
Low cost, budget-friendly (ideal for basic scrap plastic recycling tools)
Stops material sticking to plastic crusher blades andrecycling machine cutters
Fiber-Reinforced / Thick Materials
Material: DC53
The tough, improved version of SKD-11 (for durable granulator blades and hardened industrial blades)
Best wear resistance for fibers (perfect for heavy-duty scrap plastic recycling tools)
Handles thick, mixed waste well (reduces crusher knife replacement frequency)
2. Which Blade to Use? (Shredder & Granulator Knives)
Match the blade shape to your material (works for all plastic crusher blades and PET bottle granulator blades):
Claw Blades → Sheets, pipes, barrels
Flat Blades → Films, bags, clean cuts
Rotary & Fixed Knives → Precise gap control = no burrs (for recycling machine cutters and scrap plastic recycling tools)
3. Quick Decision Guide (All Plastic Recycling Tools)
Just pick one based on your material (easy for crusher knife replacement):
Hard plastic (ABS/PET): SKD-11 (best for granulator knives, plastic crusher blades and PET bottle granulator blades)
Soft plastic / film: 9CrSi (affordable recycling machine cutters and scrap plastic recycling tools)
Fiber / thick material: DC53 (durable granulator blades and hardened industrial blades)
4. Quick Tips for Plastic Recycling Tools
Budget start: 9CrSi covers most jobs (saves on crusher knife replacement for basic scrap plastic recycling tools)
High performance: SKD-11 for most recycling (top choice for granulator knives, PET bottle granulator blades and hardened industrial blades)
Heavy duty: DC53 for long life & tough jobs (best plastic crusher blades for fibers and heavy-duty scrap plastic recycling tools)
What is the best material for plastic shredder blades?
For hard plastics, choose SKD-11; for soft plastics, choose 9CrSi; for fiber-reinforced thick materials, choose DC-53.
Entry-level/general-purpose: Choose 9CrSi, which is inexpensive and suitable for most recycled materials without special requirements.
Professional high-efficiency type: Choose SKD-11, which is currently the mainstream configuration for mid-to-high-end shredders and offers the best overall cost-effectiveness.
Wear-resistant type: If the budget is sufficient and you are processing high-fiber materials and thick materials, choose DC-53.
Blade Metal Materials International Grade Corresponding Table
China (GB) | USA(ASTM) | Japan (JIS) | Germany (DIN) | Germany (W-Nr) | France (NF) | Russia (ROCT) | U.K (BS) |
9CrSi | - | - | 90CrSi5 | 1.2108 | - | 9XC | - |
DC53 |
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Cr12MOV | - | SKD11 | X165CrMov12 | 1.2601 | - | X12M | - |
Cr12Mo1V1 | D2 | - | X155Cr12Mo12 | 1.2379 | X160CrMoV12 | - | BD |
Drawings of the blades for a plastic shredder
FAQ
How long do SKD-11 crusher blades last?
With proper use and regular maintenance, our vacuum heat treated SKD-11 crusher blades typically last 3–6 times longer than common 9CrSi blades. Under normal recycling conditions for PET bottles, rigid plastics, and mixed materials, they offer a long service life with stable performance and minimal edge
Can SKD-11 blades be reground?
Yes, SKD-11 blades can be reground multiple times. Their excellent toughness and uniform hardness (58–62 HRC) allow repeated sharpening to restore cutting efficiency, greatly reducing your total tooling cost and downtime.