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D6 1.2436 SKD2 Cold Work Tool Steel

D6 Cold Work Tool Steel offers excellent wear resistance, high hardness, and compressive strength. With good hardenability and dimensional stability, it is ideal for blanking dies, punches, and cold-forming tools.

Standard: AISI D6, DIN 1.2436, JIS SKD2, GB Cr12W
Technique: EAF + LF + VD or ESR, forged, multi-directional forging ratio ≥4, spheroidized annealed
Shape: Round, Flat, Plates, Blocks
Heat treatment: Supplied in annealed condition, hardness ≤255 HBW; pre-hardened to 58–62 HRC (quenched and tempered) available on request
Surface Treatment: Black (hot-rolled / forged surface), turned, milled / ground, sawn ends
Tolerance:flat bars & plates thickness: +0.5/-0.0 mm (turned); forged blocks: ±0.2 mm
MOQ: 1 Ton

We supply AISI D6 in various custom sizes

Chemical Composition (%)

Grade	C	Si	Mn	P (≤)	S (≤)	Cr	W	(Other Elements, ≤)
1.2436 (X210CrW12)	2.00–2.30	0.10–0.40	0.30–0.60	0.030	0.030	11.00–13.00	0.60–0.80	Ni 0.25, Cu 0.25
D6	2.00–2.30	0.20–0.40	0.20–0.40	0.030	0.030	11.50–12.50	0.60–0.80	Ni 0.25, Cu 0.25
SKD2	2.00–2.30	≤0.40	≤0.60	0.030	0.030	11.00–13.00	0.60–0.80	Ni 0.25, Cu 0.25
Cr12W	2.00–2.30	≤0.40	≤0.40	0.030	0.030	11.00–13.00	0.60–0.80	Ni 0.25, Cu 0.25

Main characteristics of D6 tool steel

Exceptional wear resistance – longer service life in severe applications
High hardness – excellent edge retention and durability
Good strength – withstands high compressive stresses
Dimensional stability – ensures accurate and consistent tooling performance

D6 | 1.2436 | SKD2 tool steel applications

D6 steel for Precision Blanking Die

Tungsten-enhanced wear resistance keeps cutting edges ultra-sharp in high-volume precision blanking, minimizing burr formation and edge chipping.

D6 steel for Cold Extrusion Die

High compressive strength and excellent anti-galling properties ensure reliable performance in cold extrusion of hard-to-form materials under extreme pressure.

D6 steel for Heavy-Duty Shear Blade

Superior edge retention and resistance to chipping make it ideal for long-lasting cold shear blades cutting high-strength or abrasive sheet metal.

Our Production Technology For 1.2436 (X210CrW12 / D6 / SKD2 / Cr12W) Cold Work Tool Steel

Ultrasonic testing (UT) 100% as per SEP 1921, ASTM A388, or EN 10228-3 (upon request)
Micro Cleanliness as per ASTM E45 or DIN 50602
Spheroidized microstructure as per relevant tool steel standards
Macrostructure, microstructure, grain size, and mechanical properties shall meet the standards specified in GB/T 1299 for Tool and Die Steels
Delivery condition: Soft annealed, hardness ≤ 255 HB

mechanical properties & heat treatment of D6 steel

Heat temperature	Start forging temperature	Finish forging temperature	Cooling method
1100 – 1150 °C	1050 – 1100 °C	≥ 850 °C	Pit, sand, or furnace cooling

Annealing

Heat slowly and uniformly to 800 – 850°C (typical: 820–840°C)
Hold at temperature for 2 – 5 hours, depending on section thickness
Cool slowly in the furnace at a controlled rate of 10 – 20°C/h down to approximately 600°C
Then air cool to room temperature
Hardness after annealing: approx. 225 HB (max. 250–255 HB)

Hardening

1.2436 (D6) is a highcarbon, highchromium ledeburitic cold work tool steel. It contains approx. 0.6–0.9% tungsten, which gives excellent wear resistance and edge retention. The steel has excellent hardenability and very good dimensional stability during heat treatment. Hardness after quenching reaches 64–66 HRC. Compared to D3 (1.2080), the addition of tungsten further improves wear resistance. Austenitizing temperature must not exceed 1000°C to avoid grain coarsening and excessive retained austenite. Temper immediately after quenching
Pre-heat (recommended): Heat slowly to 500 – 600°C, then to 750 – 800°C, and soak thoroughly
Austenitizing temperature: 950 – 980°C (typical range: 940–1000°C)
Holding time: After reaching the hardening temperature, hold for 15 – 30 minutes (depending on section thickness)
Quenching media:
Air (still air for small sections up to ~30mm)
Oil (preferred for most sections, oil temperature approx. 50°C)
Warm bath at 500–550°C, or 220–250°C
Vacuum / high-speed gas quenching is also suitable
Hardness after quenching: 64 – 66 HRC

Stress relieving

Perform after rough machining or heavy stock removal, especially for tools with heavy machining or unbalanced crosssections
Heat carefully to 650 – 700°C
Hold at temperature for 1 – 2 hours (or 2 hours per 25mm of section thickness)
Cool slowly in the furnace, or air cool after holding
This operation reduces the risk of distortion during final hardening

Tempering

Temper immediately after the workpiece cools to hand-warm temperature (approx. 50–70°C). Delayed tempering may cause cracking
Number of tempers: Minimum 2 times. Double tempering is recommended to improve toughness and dimensional stability
Holding time: Soak for at least 1 hour per 25mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours per cycle). After each cycle, air cool to room temperature before the next tempering
Tempering temperature range: 150 – 300°C for maximum hardness applications; 500–600°C for applications requiring higher tempering resistance (e.g., as a substrate for nitriding or PVD coating). 1.2436 does not exhibit a distinct secondary hardening peak; hardness drops significantly at high tempering temperatures, but its temper resistance is better than D3

Why Choose NSPM as Your D6 Tool Steel Supplier

Source Direct

Direct mill cooperation ensures stable supply, competitive pricing, and consistent quality. Global resource integration and strong supply chain management guarantee reliable material sourcing and long-term availability.

Stock Ready

50,000+ tons inventory across 11 warehouses enables fast delivery. Flexible cutting, short lead times, and ready stock support urgent demands and improve customers’ production efficiency.

Expert Team

600+ professionals, including R&D specialists and technical engineers, provide application-driven support. Fast response and deep tooling knowledge ensure accurate solutions for diverse industrial needs.

Fully Inspected

Strict quality control system with full traceability, UT testing, and heat treatment records. Certified standards (ISO, CE) ensure every material meets high-performance and reliability requirements.

Full-Chain Machining

From steel supply to precision machining, heat treatment, and equipment manufacturing, NSPM offers integrated solutions that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and overall tooling performance.