Steel SKD11 · temper · default condition
Steel SKD11 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other SKD11 tempers.
Standard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB.
What is SKD11 Annealed?
SKD11 Annealed is SKD11 in the Annealed temper — standard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB. SKD11 Annealed has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKD11 Annealed has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of steel grades
SKD11 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKD11 Annealed — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SKD11 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SKD11 Annealed has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F).
Mechanical14
SKD11 Annealed has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKD11 Annealed 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 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKD11 Annealed conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 91% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKD11 Annealed takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
SKD11 Annealed's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SKD11 tempers and conditions
SKD11 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SKD11 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill supply condition for machining dies before hardening; ≤255 HB.500 MPa yield · 225 HB
- Hardened & TemperedMaximum-hardness condition for high-wear blanking, thread rolls and shear knives on stiff presses.1,900 MPa yield · 61 HRC
- Q&TGeneral-purpose die condition: best balance of wear resistance and toughness for blanking and forming tools.1,750 MPa yield · 59 HRC
- H&T 55-58 HRCChoose when chipping/cracking is the failure mode rather than wear (heavy blanking, cold-forming punches).1,600 MPa yield · 57 HRC
Working with SKD11 Annealed
Is SKD11 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state with rigid setups and coated carbide (or CBN/grinding + EDM after hardening); allow 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for hardening growth.
Can SKD11 be welded?
Avoid production welding; for repairs preheat to 300–450 °C, use matching or 12 %-Cr tool-steel electrodes, weld hot and temper immediately.
Can SKD11 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling and full soft-anneal (830–870 °C, slow cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
What surface finishes work on SKD11?
Polishes to mirror finish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/AlCrN — do not chrome-plate without stress-relief.
SKD11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1.4 – 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| Mo | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| V | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Niresidual, some specs | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
SKD11 Annealed — frequently asked
What is SKD11 Annealed used for?
SKD11 Annealed is typically used for cold blanking dies, piercing punches, forming and draw dies, thread rolling dies, shear and slitter blades and plastic mould inserts. In short: workhorse cold-work tool.
What is the yield strength of SKD11 Annealed?
SKD11 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is SKD11 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state with rigid setups and coated carbide (or CBN/grinding + EDM after hardening); allow 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for hardening growth.
Can SKD11 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Avoid production welding; for repairs preheat to 300–450 °C, use matching or 12 %-Cr tool-steel electrodes, weld hot and temper immediately.
What surface finishes work on SKD11 Annealed?
Polishes to mirror finish when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, nitriding or PVD TiN/AlCrN — do not chrome-plate without stress-relief.
Can SKD11 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling and full soft-anneal (830–870 °C, slow cool) afterwards; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKD11 Annealed?
SKD11 Annealed 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 SKD11 Annealed?
Yes — SKD11 Annealed is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels — JSA (2015)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels (Type D2) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (Cr12Mo1V1) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Böhler K110 (1.2379) cold work tool steel datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Daido DC11 / SKD11 tool steel datasheet — Daido Steel (2021)
- SKD11/Cr12Mo1V1 — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
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.