Steel D3 · heat-treated state
Steel D3 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other D3 tempers.
Use when the tool sees impact or heavy sections and some hardness can be traded for toughness and dimensional stability.
What is D3 Q&T?
D3 Q&T is D3 heat treated to Q&T — use when the tool sees impact or heavy sections and some hardness can be traded for toughness and dimensional stability. D3 Q&T has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). D3 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
D3 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for D3 Q&T — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every D3 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
D3 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F).
Mechanical15
D3 Q&T has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
D3 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
D3 Q&T conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 89% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of D3 Q&T takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
D3 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other D3 tempers and conditions
D3 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the D3 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill/stockist condition for machining and die sinking before hardening.460 MPa yield · 225 HB
- Hardened & TemperedPick for maximum wear resistance on blanking, trimming and drawing dies with light shock loading.2,100 MPa tensile
- Q&TUse when the tool sees impact or heavy sections and some hardness can be traded for toughness and dimensional stability.1,900 MPa tensile
Working with D3 Q&T
Is D3 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; the coarse Cr-carbide network is highly abrasive, and hardened parts require grinding, EDM or wire EDM.
Can D3 be welded?
Not intended for structural welding; repair only with matched high-alloy electrodes at 400–500 °C preheat followed by slow cool and re-temper to avoid cracking.
Can D3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate soft annealing at 800–850 °C; no meaningful cold formability, and heavy carbide banding makes forging reduction important for tool life.
What surface finishes work on D3?
Finish by grinding/lapping and polish for die surfaces; protect with oil, black oxide or phosphating, and use nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN/TiCN) below the tempering temperature for extra wear life.
D3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C1.2080: 1.90–2.20 | 2 – 2.35 | 2.1 |
| Cr1.2080: 11.0–12.0 | 11 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Voptional in ASTM A681; absent in 1.2080 | ≤ 1 | 0.2 |
| Woptional in ASTM A681 | ≤ 1 | — |
| Moresidual/optional | ≤ 1 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
D3 Q&T — frequently asked
What is D3 Q&T used for?
D3 Q&T is typically used for cold blanking and piercing dies, trimming dies, drawing and forming dies, shear blades, cold-heading tools and thread rolling dies. In short: cold-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of D3 Q&T?
D3 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is D3 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated-carbide tooling; the coarse Cr-carbide network is highly abrasive, and hardened parts require grinding, EDM or wire EDM.
Can D3 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not intended for structural welding; repair only with matched high-alloy electrodes at 400–500 °C preheat followed by slow cool and re-temper to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on D3 Q&T?
Finish by grinding/lapping and polish for die surfaces; protect with oil, black oxide or phosphating, and use nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN/TiCN) below the tempering temperature for extra wear life.
Can D3 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate soft annealing at 800–850 °C; no meaningful cold formability, and heavy carbide banding makes forging reduction important for tool life.
What is the maximum service temperature of D3 Q&T?
D3 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in D3 Q&T?
Yes — D3 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- DIN EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X210Cr12 / 1.2080) — ISO/DIN (2018)
- GB/T 1299 (Cr12) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Cold-work tool steel 1.2080 / X210Cr12 datasheet — Böhler / voestalpine (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.