Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature960°C(1760°F)
Soak Time30 minutes
Tempering
Temperature200°C(392°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
air
Target Hardness
62 - 63 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness6.5/10
Edge Retention7.5/10
Corrosion Resistance3.5/10
Ease of Sharpening6.5/10
Overall Score24/40
Interesting Facts
- 1JIS cold work tool steel
- 2Similar to D3/A2 tool steel
- 3Good balance of wear and toughness
- 4Used in Japanese manufacturing industry
- 5Higher chromium than SKD11 (D2)
- 6Air-hardening for easy heat treatment
Famous Uses
Japanese industrial dies
Precision cutting tools
Best For
Fixed blades
Production knives
Tool applications
Similar Steels
Not Recommended For
- Marine environment
- Budget
- Beginners
Expert Tips
- 1Japanese A2 equivalent
- 2Air-hardening steel
- 3Good toughness
- 4Ingot manufacturing