Stamping Die Material Selection
Choosing the right tool steel is one of the highest-impact decisions in die design. The wrong material leads to premature wear, chipping, or failure.
Tool Steel Comparison
| Grade | Hardness (HRC) | Wear | Toughness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | 58-62 | ★★★ | ★★ | Medium-volume blanking |
| A2 | 57-61 | ★★ | ★★★ | Punches, complex profiles |
| M2 | 62-65 | ★★★★ | ★★ | High-volume, abrasive |
| S7 | 54-58 | ★ | ★★★★★ | Heavy impact, coining |
| CPM 10V | 60-64 | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | Extreme wear (1M+) |
| Carbide | 88-92 HRA | ★★★★★ | ★ | Ultra-high volume |
Selection by Volume
Low Volume (<10K)
D2 or A2 for punch/die plates. Pre-hardened 4140 for shoes and retainers. Consider CNC-cut inserts for quick turnaround.
Medium Volume (10K-500K)
D2 for blanking/piercing. A2 for forming. M2 for high-wear stations. D2 for die shoes, 4140 for bolster plates.
High Volume (500K-5M+)
M2 or CPM grades for all cutting. Carbide inserts for high-wear areas. D2 retained for non-critical sections. Powder-metal steels justified by extended between-sharpen intervals.
Heat Treatment Considerations
- D2: 1020-1050°C austenitize, air/oil quench. Double temper at 500-520°C.
- A2: 930-980°C, air quench. Single temper at 180-200°C.
- M2: 1190-1230°C, oil/air quench. Triple temper at 540-560°C.
- Stress-relieve D2 tools after rough machining: 650°C for 2 hours.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Get an instant quote and technical feedback from our engineering team.
Get a Quote →