High Carbon High Chromium : Die Steel D3

Pre-heat at 900-950°C then raise temperature to 850-1050°C. Soak until uniformly heated. D3 tool steel is relatively hard at elevated temperature. Therefore, initial hammer blows must be light and the temperature must not be allowed to fall below 1020°C until the metal begins to flow. Final forging should not be done below 900°C.

D3 is supplied in the annealed and machinable condition. Re-annealing will only be necessary if the steel has been forged or hardened by the toolmaker. To anneal, heat slowly and uniformly to 900°C. Soak for three to four hours and allow to cool in the furnace to room temperature. Re-heat to 800-850°C and again soak for three to four hours. Allow to cool in the furnace to room temperature.

When tools are heavily machined, ground or otherwise subjected to cold work, the relief of internal strains is advisable before hardening to minimise the possibility of distortion. Stress relieving should be done after rough machining. To stress relieve, heat the steel component to 600-650°C. Soak well and cool in the furnace or in air. The tools may then be finish machined before hardening.

It is preferable to heat the tools in a controlled atmosphere. If this is not possible, pack hardening is recommended. A reducing atmosphere is desirable. Pre heat the component to 750-800°C. and allow to soak at this temperature. Raise to the hardening temperature of 920-980°C. Soak thoroughly at the temperature for thirty minutes per 25mm of ruling section, then cool or quench accordingly.

Double tempering is recommended. Tempering should be done with the least possible delay after hardening, preferably when the tools are still hand warm. Select a suitable tempering temperature, bearing in mind the service requirements. Heat slowly and uniformly. When the component has reached the desired temperature, soak for at least one hour per 25mm of thickness. The second tempering should be a repetition of the first.

Martempering is an alternative hardening procedure which may be used when suitable salt bath equipment is available. By this method internal strain, distortion and risk of quench cracking are reduced to the minimum. Pre-heat dry at 300-400°C. Pre-heat in salt at 800-850°C holding in the salt for ten minutes 25mm of ruling section. Raise to the hardening temperature of 950-980°C holding in the salt for ten minutes 25mm of ruling section. Marquench in salt at 230-250°C holding in the bath for five minutes 25mm of ruling section. Cool in still air. Tempering will be necessary.

Heat treatment temperatures, including rate of heating, cooling and soaking times will vary due to factors such as the shape and size of each steel component. Other considerations during the heat treatment process include the type of furnace, quenching medium and work piece transfer facilities. Please consult your heat treatment provider for full guidance on heat treatment of tool steels.

Select the correct grade of wheel in consultation with the grinding wheel manufacturer. Ensure the grinding wheel is in good condition by means of a suitable dressing tool. Wet grinding is a preferable option using a copious supply of coolant. If dry grinding is resorted to then use a very soft wheel.