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DC53 Tool Steel | Blade, Mold, And Die Steel
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SteelPro Group is a global leader in high-performance carbon steel, offering top-tier DC53 steel products. Our DC53 steel delivers unmatched strength and durability for your most demanding applications.
What Is DC53 Steel Tool Steel?
DC53 is a premium cold work tool steel with strength and toughness similar to high-speed steel. It offers excellent machining, durability, and edge retention, making it ideal for molds. An improvement over D2, it extends tool life and processing speed. DC53 is suitable for PVD surface treatments and supports CVD and TD coatings with post-heat treatment.
What Are the Differences Between DC53 Steel and D2?
DC53 offers better toughness than D2, enhancing its ability to withstand impact and prevent cracking. While D2 has great wear resistance, DC53 strikes a better balance between toughness and wear resistance, and it can reach higher hardness (HRC 62 compared to D2’s HRC 58-60). DC53 also has better machinability, making it more cost-effective to process.
DC53 Steel Steel Equivalent
Below are the commonly recognized equivalents of DC53 steel:
- JIS: DC53 (JIS G4404)
- DIN: 1.2379
- GB: Cr12MoV
DC53 Steel Tool Steel Products Specification
SteelPro Group offers high-quality DC53 steel products like bars, sheets, plates, and round rods. If you require specific sizes or customized forms, feel free to reach out to us.
| Product Form | Size Range (Metric) | Size Range (Imperial) |
| Round Bars | Diameter: 20 mm to 300 mm | 0.8 in to 11.8 in |
| Square Bars | Diameter: 20 mm to 300 mm | 0.8 in to 11.8 in |
| Flat Bars | 20 mm x 20 mm to 200 mm x 300 mm | 0.8 in x 0.8 in to 7.9 in x 11.8 in |
| Sheets | Thickness: 1 mm to 100 mm | 0.04 in to 3.9 in |
| Width: 200 mm to 1500 mm | 7.9 in to 59 in | |
| Length: 500 mm to 4000 mm | 19.7 in to 157.5 in | |
| Plates | Thickness: 10 mm to 200 mm | 0.4 in to 7.9 in |
| Width: 200 mm to 1500 mm | 7.9 in to 59 in | |
| Length: 500 mm to 4000 mm | 19.7 in to 157.5 in | |
| Round Rods | Diameter: 10 mm to 200 mm | 0.4 in to 7.9 in |
| Length: 1000 mm to 4000 mm | 39.4 in to 157.5 in |
DC53 Steel Tool Steel Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 8 |
| Iron (Fe) | 87.35 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.3 |
DC53 Steel Tool Steel Physical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Density | 7.87 g/cc | 0.284 lb/in³ |
| Tensile Strength | 1500 MPa | 217,500 psi |
| Yield Strength | 1300 MPa | 188,500 psi |
| Thermal Conductivity | 23.8 W/m·K | 165 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F |
| Coefficient of Expansion | 12.2 µm/m·°C (20-100°C) | 6.78 µin/in·°F (68-212°F) |
DC53 Steel Tool Steel Mechanical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Hardness, Brinell | 210 – 225 HB | 210 – 225 HB |
| Hardness(HRC) | 62 – 63 HRC | 62 – 63 HRC |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 150 GPa | 21,700 ksi |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Shear Modulus | 58.5 GPa | 8,480 ksi |
Heat Treatment of DC53 Steel Tool Steel
At SteelPro Group, we prioritize precision in every step of the heat treatment process for DC53 steel. From annealing to hardening and tempering, our expert team ensures optimal hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.
Annealing
Heat the steel to 750°C to 800°C (1,380°F to 1,470°F) and hold it at this temperature. Then slowly cool in a furnace or still air to room temperature. This process relieves internal stresses or reduces hardness for machining purposes.
Air Hardening
Preheating and Austenitizing
Preheat the steel to 800°C to 850°C (1,475°F to 1,560°F) to ensure uniform heating. After that, raise the temperature to 1,030°C (1,885°F) for austenitizing.
For sections up to 100 mm (4 inches) thick, soak for 25 to 30 minutes per inch (1 hour for parts thinner than 25 mm). For thicker sections, soak for 10 to 25 minutes per inch.
Quenching
Use inert gas pressurized quenching (usually nitrogen) to avoid contamination. It’s important not to use quenching pressures higher than 2 bar (2 times atmospheric pressure) as higher pressures can cause distortion and increased stress.
This step converts the steel from the austenitic phase to an un-tempered martensitic state, increasing hardness. After quenching, the steel should be cooled to 45°C to 65°C (120°F to 150°F) before tempering.
Salt Bath Hardening
Preheating and Austenitizing
Preheating the part to 850°C (1,550°F) until it is uniformly heated. Then immerse the steel in a molten salt bath at 1,030°C (1,885°F) for at least 5 minutes. The immersion time will vary based on the thickness of the part, as shown in the table below:
| Thickness | Immersion Time |
| 5 mm (1/4″) | 5 – 8 minutes |
| 12 mm (1/2″) | 10 – 12 minutes |
| 20 mm (3/4″) | 10 – 15 minutes |
| 30 mm (1 1/2″) | 15 – 20 minutes |
| 50 mm (2″) | 20 – 25 minutes |
| 100 mm (4″) | 30 – 40 minutes |
Quenching and Cooling
After soaking in the salt bath, the part should be salt quenched and then allowed to cool in still air until it reaches 45°C to 65°C (120°F to 150°F) before tempering.
Tempering
This should be carried out in a convection furnace that is not atmosphere-controlled. The initial tempering should occur once the part has cooled to a range of 45°C to 65°C (120°F to 150°F), followed by cooling to room temperature before performing the next tempering cycle.
- To reach HRC 60-62: Heat treat the steel twice at 540°C (1,005°F) for 60 to 90 minutes per inch of thickness, ensuring the tempering time is at least 90 minutes.
- To achieve HRC 62-64: Temper the steel twice at 520°C (970°F) for the same duration.
- To increase toughness: Double temper at 550°C (1,020°F) to get HRC 58-60.
If high-precision applications require dimensional stability and minimal distortion due to machining or surface treatments, an optional third temper at 400°C (750°F) can be applied to stabilize the structure.
Fabrication And Processing of DC53 Tool Steel
Surface Treatments
Cold Process
- Nitriding
Ideal for case hardening, nitriding can be applied at temperatures below 500°C (930°F) to avoid compromising the steel’s core properties. This process is effective for enhancing wear resistance while maintaining DC53’s strength.
- PVD Coatings
Surface coatings like TiN, TiCN, and CrN are usually applied through Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). To achieve the best results, temper DC53 to at least 520°C (970°F) before applying these coatings.
We recommend a third temper at 400°C (750°F) for applications that require high precision, as this helps minimize any dimensional changes.
Hot Process
- CVD Coatings
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coatings are applied at temperatures between 925°C (1,700°F) and 1,040°C (1,900°F). After CVD coating, temper at 500°C (930°F) to 510°C (950°F) to maintain the steel’s mechanical properties.
- TD (Thermal Diffusion) Coatings
TD coatings are applied at temperatures between 1,010°C (1,850°F) and 1,030°C (1,886°F). To achieve the best hardness, TD coatings should be applied at 1,030°C (1,886°F), followed by several tempering cycles at the correct temperatures.
Machining
DC53 is known for its excellent machinability, which can be 20-40% faster than D2 tool steel. Additionally, it experiences 50% less tool wear, which significantly reduces machining costs and improves efficiency.
Welding
While DC53 can be welded, special care is required to prevent issues such as cracking or distortion.
Welding Tips:
- Weld Rod: Use an H72A welding rod, commonly used for high-carbon, high-chromium steels. This ensures compatibility with DC53’s composition.
- Dry the Rod: To prevent weld cracks, always dry the welding rod before use by heating it to 350°C (650°F) for about an hour.
- Post-Weld Heat Treatment: Since welding can induce stresses, it’s important to conduct a post-weld temper at 500°C (930°F) to 510°C (950°F) to restore DC53’s strength and toughness.
DC53 Tool Steel Applications
DC53 is widely used in industries that demand high strength, toughness, and resistance to wear. Some of its practical applications include:
- Stamping dies
- Injection molds
- Progressive dies
- Blanking dies
- Extrusion tooling
- Forming tools
- Cutting tools (e.g., shear blades, scissors)
Is DC53 Steel Good for Knives?
Yes. DC53 is a reliable option for knives, particularly in industrial or heavy-duty uses. It strikes a solid balance between hardness and durability, ensuring excellent edge retention. However, for culinary knives, other steels like VG10 or S30V are preferred due to their better corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening.
What Are the Differences Between DC53 Steel and M390?
M390 has a higher hardness potential than DC53, but it’s more brittle. DC53, on the other hand, is tougher and more resistant to chipping, making it better for applications that involve high stress.
M390 is often used in knife blades, while DC53 is better suited for tooling and dies.
Find Premium DC53 Tool Steel at SteelPro Group
SteelPro Group provides premium DC53 steel products, including bars, plates, sheets, and rods, all with strict quality controls. We also offer D2 tool steel for high wear-resistance applications.
Need high-quality steel or custom solutions? Contact us today for expert support and premium products!
