Hot stamping dies made of SKD61 steel

15/01/2020

SKD61 is one of the steel lines with common applications for hot stamping. So why hot stamping must be made of steel SKD61. Let's find out.

SKD61 is a special steel line known for its popular application of hot stamping. In the process of working, we still receive customers' questions such as: "When making hot stamping, why must we use SKD61 but not SKD11?".

So today, we would like to answer readers request: "Why hot stamping mold made of SKD61 steel?" Join us to find out soon.

SKD61 steel has 8 components that we analyzed in the topic "SKD61 steel chemical composition".

However, to explain the above question, we will focus on 4 main factors determining SKD61's mechanical properties.

Stt	Chemical composition	SKD61 (%)
1	Cacbon	~ 0,39
2	Crom	~ 5,15
3	Molipden	~ 1,4
4	Vanadium	~ 0,8

Let's find out what the above components do and why hot stamping molds must be made of SKD61 steel.

1. Carbon (C)

Carbon steel helps to achieve high hardness, for that reason, SKD61 steel has reached hardness after heat treatment from 52 HRC - 55 HRC. On the other hand, the higher the hardness, the greater the impact of thermal expansion.

However, SKD61 works in very high temperature environments, so if the hardness is too high (above 55 HRC) plus expansion due to heat will lead to the risk of mold cracking.

2. Chromium (Cr)

Chromium in addition to the main effect commonly known as limiting rust, it has a very special effect that is creating a fine small Cabit which is secreted at a temperature of 25000C, so it has high anti-ram and hot hard properties.

So with the moderate chromium content will limit the situation of overheating when working hard and minimize problems such as mold cracking occurs.

3. Molipden (Mo)

Molipden is present in most high-grade steels and SKD61 is no exception to increase the abrasion resistance of SKD61 molds.

In addition, Molipden along with Chromium is strongly bonded with Carbon to form Me6C-type Cabite, which helps keep the Carbon in the martensite to make the steel more resistant to heat, increasing hot durability and hardening.

4. Vanadium (V)

Vanadium produces Carbide VC with a very high hardness, small and fine located at the grain border, preventing the growth of austenitic when baked. At high temperatures, all wear will be stronger, so the addition of Vanadium content will help SKD61 better withstand wear during operation.

In particular, Vanadium shrinks the crystal particles to make SKD61 steel increases tensile strength and heat resistance.

Combining all the advantages of the above chemical components together will help create a steel that conforms to the hot stamping die specifications. That is why it is necessary to make SKD61 hot stamping steel.

Hopefully the above information will solve the problems that readers are having. If you want to get more specific advice about industrial steels, readers can contact 0332 91 61 61 or chat online with us.