DC11 - a more advanced version of SKD11 cold mold steel?

12/10/2021

In terms of specifications, it can be said DC11 is an upgrade compared to regular SKD11 steel. But what exactly is the superiority of DC11 steel ?. Let's compare with Sevit the difference between DC11 steel grade and SKD11 steel grade

DC11 steel is a high-grade steel in the line of cold stamping molds manufactured by DaiDo. In terms of application, the DC11 and SKD11 steel grades are used as materials in cold stamping processing, but in terms of features, it can be said that DC11 is an upgrade compared to conventional SKD11 steel. So how are they different?

1. Summary of steel marks DC11 and SKD11
Marks DC11 and SKD11 are quality products from Nippon (SKD11), DaiDo (DC11). When it comes to them, it's undeniable that the best mold steel manufacturers on the market today.

Compare DC11 steel plate and SKD11 cold mold steel
DC11 steel is a steel grade manufactured by DaiDo company according to JIS standards of Japan. With high abrasive strength, excellent hard permeability, a balance between hardness and ductility, DC11 steel is considered the most advanced steel line in the applications of today's stamping industry.
SKD11 steel is the steel grade referred to by JIS standards of Japan. Currently, SKD11 steel line is manufactured by many manufacturers but the most famous is Nippon Koshuha. However, due to the popularity of this steel line, there are many SKD11 steel counterfeit goods sold on the market that make users confused during the selection process.
Application of DC11 steel as a corrugated knife
Making stainless steel mold DC11

2. The similarity between steel marks DC11 and SKD11
Both DC11 steels manufactured by DaiDo and SKD11 manufactured by Nippon are high-quality product lines of the cold-molded mold segment, so they will surely have the same highlights as:
- Smooth, fine cutting machining surface;
- Details can withstand high abrasion, excellent toughness at normal temperatures;
- Good mine permeability, mine stress is lowest;
- Hardness after annealing (vacuum annealing) reaches a perfect level of 58 HRC - 60 HRC;
- Improve performance and extend product life;
- Can work continuously in terms of continuous stamping, high load or large impact force, ...
In addition, both types of steel are widely used to manufacture machines, making molds such as blister molds, stamping dies, lettering dies, logos, badges, unburnt brick molds and knives. such as bending knives, wood chopping knives, plastic chipping, packaging knives, slitting knives, punches, pinion shears, large load gears, sliders, machine parts, precision parts, ...

3. Differences between steel marks DC11 and SKD11
In addition to the similarities mentioned above, to compare steel grades DC11 and SKD11, let's take a look at the following basic differences:
a. Chemical composition of steel DC11 and SKD11

Stt	Chemical Composition	DC11 (%)	SKD11 (%)
1	Cacbon	1,47	0,9 – 1,5
2	Crom	11,51	12
3	Molipden	0,82	1
4	Silic	0,3	0,25
5	Mangan	0,3	0,45
6	Photpho	0,026	≤ 0,025
7	Sulfur	0,001	≤ 0,01
8	Vanadium	0,21	≤ 0,01
9	Cu	0,11	-
10	Niken	0,18	-

Through this, we can easily see the difference in chemical composition and proportion in the total structure of the two types of steel. Because of this is the comparison of steel grades DC11 and SKD11.
Especially, DC11 steel contains 2 more Cu and Ni components:
- With a small content of 0.11% Cu element has the effect of increasing the durability, ductility, impact toughness and corrosion resistance of DC11 steel.
- The DC11 steel grade contains 0.18% nickel, which helps them not oxidize in the air even at 5000C, resistant to corrosion with many acids, higher mechanical strength than other alloys.
b. Specification of steel DC11 and SKD11
DC11 steel: On the market today, DC11 steel grade is most often supplied with sheets. Common specification is DC11 steel plate with dimensions:

Thickness	Width	Length
8mm - 150mm	305mm hoặc 410mm	4000mm hoặc 6000mm

The specific characteristic of the DC11 series is the scarcity of circular specifications. Therefore, it is very difficult to find DC11 standard DC11 round steel in the right market, the right product and the right quality.
SKD11 steel: SKD11 steel plate and SKD11 solid round steel.

Thép tấm SKD11
Thickness	Width	Length
8mm - 150mm	510mm	6000mm

Solid steel SKD11
Diameter	Length
14mm - 4100mm	6000mm

c. Heat treatment of DC11 steel and SKD11 steel
As mentioned earlier, both DC11 and SKD11 are capable of achieving high hardness after vacuum annealing (heat treatment) tempering. However, SKD11 is usually annealed to 58 HRC - 60 HRC and it is difficult to achieve higher altitudes, depending on ideal heat treatment conditions, it is possible to achieve 61 HRC.

DC11 steel plate
But for DC11, the post-heat hardness can easily reach 60 HRC - 62HRC, if in ideal conditions, it can be up to 63 HRC - 64 HRC but the toughness and resilience are still best to ensure the performance of the parts to achieve the highest efficiency.
Above are some comparison points of DC11 sheet steel and SKD11 cold mold steel, hope to be able to help customers in learning and selecting suitable materials for the product.
Want more advice on these two preeminent product lines? Please contact us on 0332 91 61 61 or chat online with the sevit.vn team for advice. Sevit is pleased to answer your questions!