Tool Steel D6 is a high-carbon, air-hardening tool steel used in a variety of applications. D6 Tool Steel is known for its superior wear resistance and ability to hold an edge. In addition to its toughness, Tool Steel D6 also features corrosion resistance and heat resistance. Regarding high-performance tool steels, UNS T30406, or Grade D6 Tool Steel, is popular among manufacturers and engineers. Its unique chemical composition gives it excellent wear, toughness, and heat resistance, making it ideal for demanding applications in aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries. In addition, Grade D6 Tool Steel offers good dimensional stability and can be easily machined and forged. These exceptional properties make it a reliable and popular choice for various critical applications. Let’s look at the many uses of UNS T30406 as well as some tips for machining it.
What Forms of D6 Tool Steel is Available at Piping Mart?
- Nut
- Bar
- Bolt
- Pipe
- Screw
- Tubing
- Valves
- Washers
- Flanges
- Fasteners
- Electrodes
- Stud Bolts
- Sheet Plates
- Pipe Fittings
- Forged Fitting
- Instrumentation Fittings
D6 Tool Steel Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron, Fe | 83.05 |
| Chromium, Cr | 12.5 |
| Carbon, C | 2.05 |
| Tungsten, W | 1.3 |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.8 |
| Silicon, Si | 0.3 |
D6 Tool Steel Physical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.67 g/cm3 | 0.277 lb/in3 |
D6 Tool Steel Mechanical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Compressive strength | 1320 MPa | 191000 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity | 194 GPa | 28100 ksi |
| Hardness, Rockwell C | 46 | 46 |
D6 Tool Steel Thermal Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal expansion co-efficient (@21-400°C/68-752°F) | 10.8 µm/m°C | 6 µin/in°F |
| Thermal conductivity (@20°C/68°F) | 20.5 W/mK | 142 BTU.in/hrft².°F |
D6 Tool Steel Uses
Tool Steel D6 is a versatile steel that can be used in a number of industrial applications. It is often used to make cutting tools such as knives, shears, chisels, drills, and taps. It can also be used to make dies for forming materials like sheet metal or wire. Additionally, it is often used to make punches for stamping parts from sheet metal or other materials. Its superior hardness makes it ideal for these types of applications where wear resistance is important.
D6 Tool Steel Uses in Industries
Automotive Industry
D6 tool steel is commonly used in the automotive industry due to its high strength and toughness. It is often used to make various engine components, such as crankshafts, gears, and camshafts. Its ability to withstand high temperatures and resist wear makes it a popular choice for these critical parts.
Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry also utilizes D6 tool steel for its strength and durability. It is commonly used to make landing gear components, turbine blades, and other critical parts that withstand extreme conditions. The high impact resistance of D6 tool steel makes it a reliable material for aerospace applications.
Oil and Gas Industry
D6 tool steel is often used to make drilling tools in the oil and gas industry due to its excellent wear resistance. These tools must withstand harsh environments and constant use, making D6 an ideal choice for their construction. It can also be found in other equipment used in oil and gas exploration and production.
Medical Industry
D6 tool steel is widely used in the medical industry for surgical instruments and implants due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. These properties make it safe for use in the human body while also ensuring the longevity of the instruments or implants.
Tooling Industry
As the name suggests, D6 tool steel is extensively used in the tooling industry for cutting tools such as drills, saws, and dies. Its high hardness allows these tools to easily cut through tough materials while maintaining their sharpness over time.
D6 Tool Steel Corrosion Resistance
In addition to its superior wear resistance, Tool Steel D6 also offers excellent corrosion resistance when properly maintained and cared for. This makes it ideal for use in applications where exposure to moisture or other corrosive elements could be an issue. Taking proper precautions such as regular cleaning and oiling of the steel surface ensures that your tools made with this material will have long life spans, even in demanding environments.
D6 Tool Steel Heat Resistance
Tool Steel D6 also has excellent heat-resistance properties due to its high carbon content. This means that when exposed to higher temperatures, the steel will not lose its strength or hardness like other steels might do under similar conditions. This makes it ideal for use in applications where high temperatures are expected, such as those involving welding or forging operations. It also allows the steel to maintain its sharpness even after prolonged use in hot working conditions, making it especially useful for cutting tools like knives and shears that must retain their sharpness over time despite frequent use in challenging conditions.
D6 Tool Steel Heat Treatment
While Tool Steel D6 does not require any special heat treatment upon arrival at your facility, there are some steps you can take if desired that can further improve its performance characteristics, such as increasing its overall strength or improving ductility (the ability of the metal to bend without breaking). These treatments typically involve heating the material up past its recrystallization temperature before quenching (rapidly cooling) it down again using water or oil baths which alter the structure of the crystal lattice within the metal, allowing you to fine-tune your desired properties.
D6 Tool Steel Machining
Lastly, let’s discuss machining with Tool Steel D6 since this process tends to be more difficult than with other steels due to its hard nature, which requires specialized cutting tools such as carbide-tipped bits and saw blades designed specifically for working with this type of steel material. You should also take care when machining this material by ensuring adequate coolant flow during operations so that you don’t damage your cutting tools prematurely from excessive heat buildup caused by friction between the tool and workpiece material being cut into shape during machining operations.
Conclusion:
Overall, Tool Steel D6 is an excellent choice when looking for a tough yet versatile tool steel that offers excellent wear resistance along with good corrosion and heat resistance properties making it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, including forming dies, cutting tools, punches, etc. While machining this material may require specialized cutting tools, if done properly, it can yield excellent results worthy of any professional application. With proper care, maintenance, and heat treatment if desired, you can ensure that your tooling made out of this material will provide years of reliable service no matter what job they are put up against, so if you’re looking for a durable yet versatile tool steel that won’t let you down then look no further than Tool Steel D6!
A passionate metal industry expert and blogger. With over 5 years of experience in the field, Palak brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her writing. Whether discussing the latest trends in the metal industry or sharing tips, she is dedicated to helping others succeed in the metal industry.
