Steel grades: composition, equivalents and uses

Tool & Die steel

EN-31: High-carbon chromium bearing steel

Typical uses: Ball and roller bearings, spindles, rollers, punches, gauges and press tools.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.90–1.20, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.30–0.75, Cr 1.00–1.60, P max 0.040, S max 0.050.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 52100; DIN / W.Nr 100Cr6 · 1.3505; JIS SUJ2; BS 970 535A99.

OHNS: Oil-hardening non-shrinking tool steel

Typical uses: Blanking and piercing dies, punches, gauges, measuring tools and cutting tools.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.90–1.05, Si 0.15–0.35, Mn 1.00–1.20, Cr 0.50–0.70, W 0.50–0.70, V 0.05–0.15.

Equivalent grades: AISI O1; DIN / W.Nr 100MnCrW4 · 1.2510; JIS SKS3; BS 4659 BO1.

D2: High-carbon high-chromium cold-work steel

Typical uses: Blanking and trimming dies, punches, thread-rolling dies, shear blades and forming rolls.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 1.45–1.60, Si 0.10–0.60, Mn 0.20–0.60, Cr 11.0–13.0, Mo 0.70–1.00, V 0.70–1.00.

Equivalent grades: AISI D2; DIN / W.Nr X153CrMoV12 · 1.2379; JIS SKD11; BS 4659 BD2.

D3: High-carbon high-chromium cold-work steel (HCHCR)

Typical uses: Blanking dies for thin sheet, drawing dies, punches, shear blades and brick moulds.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 1.90–2.20, Si 0.10–0.60, Mn 0.20–0.60, Cr 11.0–13.0.

Equivalent grades: AISI D3; DIN / W.Nr X210Cr12 · 1.2080; JIS SKD1; BS 4659 BD3.

Cr12MoV: Cold-work die steel (GB/T 1299)

Typical uses: Cold stamping and trimming dies, punches and cold-heading tools.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 1.45–1.70, Si max 0.40, Mn max 0.40, Cr 11.0–12.5, Mo 0.40–0.60, V 0.15–0.30.

Equivalent grades: Close to AISI D2; DIN / W.Nr X165CrMoV12 · 1.2601; JIS SKD11 (approx.).

H-13: Chromium hot-work die steel

Typical uses: Hot forging dies, aluminium die-casting dies, extrusion tooling and hot shear blades.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.32–0.45, Si 0.80–1.20, Mn 0.20–0.50, Cr 4.75–5.50, Mo 1.10–1.75, V 0.80–1.20.

Equivalent grades: AISI H13; DIN / W.Nr X40CrMoV5-1 · 1.2344; JIS SKD61; BS 4659 BH13.

DIN 2714: Nickel-chromium-molybdenum hot-work die block steel

Typical uses: Forging die blocks for hammers and presses, die holders and hot shear blades.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.50–0.60, Si 0.10–0.40, Mn 0.65–0.95, Cr 1.00–1.20, Ni 1.50–1.80, Mo 0.45–0.55, V 0.07–0.12.

Equivalent grades: DIN / W.Nr 55NiCrMoV7 · 1.2714; Close to AISI L6; JIS SKT4.

Plastic Mould steel

1.2311: Plastic mould steel, pre-hardened (P20)

Typical uses: Plastic injection moulds, mould bases and die-casting holders.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.35–0.45, Si 0.20–0.40, Mn 1.30–1.60, Cr 1.80–2.10, Mo 0.15–0.25.

Equivalent grades: DIN 40CrMnMo7; AISI P20; JIS PDS3 (approx.).

1.2738: Plastic mould steel with nickel (P20+Ni)

Typical uses: Large plastic moulds with deep cavities, such as automotive bumper and dashboard moulds.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.35–0.45, Si 0.20–0.40, Mn 1.30–1.60, Cr 1.80–2.10, Ni 0.90–1.20, Mo 0.15–0.25.

Equivalent grades: DIN 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4; AISI P20+Ni; Similar 718.

1.2738H: Plastic mould steel with nickel, supplied hardened

Typical uses: Large plastic moulds machined directly without further heat treatment.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.35–0.45, Si 0.20–0.40, Mn 1.30–1.60, Cr 1.80–2.10, Ni 0.90–1.20, Mo 0.15–0.25.

Equivalent grades: DIN 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4; AISI P20+Ni; Similar 718H.

1.2316: Corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel

Typical uses: Moulds for PVC and other corrosive plastics, and high-polish moulds.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.33–0.45, Si max 1.00, Mn max 1.50, Cr 15.5–17.5, Mo 0.80–1.30, Ni max 1.00.

Equivalent grades: DIN X38CrMo16; Close to AISI 420 (mod.).

Induction Hardening steel

EN-19: Chromium-molybdenum alloy steel

Typical uses: Shafts, gears, axles, crankshafts and high-tensile bolts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.35–0.45, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.50–0.80, Cr 0.90–1.50, Mo 0.20–0.40.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 4140; DIN / W.Nr 42CrMo4 · 1.7225; JIS SCM440; BS 970 709M40.

EN-18: Chromium alloy steel

Typical uses: Gears, shafts, crankshafts and connecting rods.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.35–0.45, Si 0.05–0.35, Mn 0.60–0.95, Cr 0.85–1.15.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 5140; DIN / W.Nr 41Cr4 · 1.7035; JIS SCr440; BS 970 530M40.

EN-24: Nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel

Typical uses: Heavy-duty shafts, gears, axles and highly stressed automotive parts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.36–0.44, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.45–0.70, Ni 1.30–1.70, Cr 1.00–1.40, Mo 0.20–0.35.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 4340; DIN / W.Nr 34CrNiMo6 · 1.6582; JIS SNCM439; BS 970 817M40.

EN-47: Chromium-vanadium spring steel

Typical uses: Springs, torsion bars and highly stressed shafts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.45–0.55, Si max 0.50, Mn 0.50–0.80, Cr 0.80–1.20, V min 0.15.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 6150; DIN / W.Nr 50CrV4 · 1.8159; JIS SUP10; BS 970 735A51.

Case Hardening steel

16MnCr5: Case-hardening steel

Typical uses: Case-hardened gears, shafts, piston pins and camshafts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.14–0.19, Si max 0.40, Mn 1.00–1.30, Cr 0.80–1.10.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.7131; AISI / SAE 5115; JIS SCr415 (approx.).

20MnCr5: Case-hardening steel

Typical uses: Case-hardened gears, ring gears, worm gears and shafts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.17–0.22, Si max 0.40, Mn 1.10–1.40, Cr 1.00–1.30.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.7147; AISI / SAE 5120; JIS SMnC420 (approx.).

SAE 8620: Nickel-chromium-molybdenum case-hardening steel

Typical uses: Case-hardened gears, crankshafts, camshafts and king pins.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.18–0.23, Si 0.15–0.35, Mn 0.70–0.90, Ni 0.40–0.70, Cr 0.40–0.60, Mo 0.15–0.25.

Equivalent grades: DIN / W.Nr 21NiCrMo2 · 1.6523; JIS SNCM220; BS 970 805M20.

EN-353: Nickel-chromium-molybdenum case-hardening steel

Typical uses: Heavy-duty gears, pinions and shafts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.10–0.20, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.50–1.00, Ni 1.00–1.50, Cr 0.75–1.25, Mo 0.08–0.15.

Equivalent grades: BS 970 815M17; Close to DIN 15CrNi6 · 1.5919.

EN-36: Nickel-chromium case-hardening steel

Typical uses: High-strength gears, camshafts and engine parts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.10–0.16, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.35–0.60, Ni 3.00–3.75, Cr 0.60–1.10.

Equivalent grades: BS 970 655M13; Close to DIN 14NiCr14 · 1.5752; Close to AISI 3310.

Carbon Steel steel

EN-8D: Medium-carbon steel

Typical uses: Shafts, studs, bolts, axles and keys.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.40–0.45, Si 0.10–0.40, Mn 0.70–0.90, P max 0.050, S max 0.050.

Equivalent grades: BS 970 080A42; AISI / SAE 1042; DIN C45 (approx.).

EN-9: Medium-high carbon steel

Typical uses: Gears, sprockets, cams and induction-hardened shafts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.50–0.60, Si 0.05–0.35, Mn 0.50–0.90.

Equivalent grades: BS 970 070M55; AISI / SAE 1055; DIN / W.Nr C55 · 1.0535.

C45: Medium-carbon steel

Typical uses: Shafts, axles, bolts, gears and general machine parts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.42–0.50, Si max 0.40, Mn 0.50–0.80.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.0503; AISI / SAE 1045; JIS S45C; BS 970 080M46.

C55Mn75: Medium-high carbon steel (IS 1570)

Typical uses: Springs, blades, cams and wear parts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C 0.50–0.60, Si 0.10–0.35, Mn 0.60–0.90.

Equivalent grades: AISI / SAE 1055; DIN C55; BS 970 EN-9.

Stainless steel

SS 410: Martensitic stainless steel

Typical uses: Valve parts, pump shafts, fasteners and cutlery.

Chemical composition (wt %): C max 0.15, Si max 1.00, Mn max 1.00, Cr 11.5–13.5.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.4006; DIN X12Cr13; JIS SUS410.

SS 304: Austenitic stainless steel

Typical uses: Food and chemical equipment, fittings and architectural parts.

Chemical composition (wt %): C max 0.08, Si max 0.75, Mn max 2.00, Cr 18.0–20.0, Ni 8.0–10.5.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.4301; DIN X5CrNi18-10; JIS SUS304.

SS 316: Molybdenum austenitic stainless steel

Typical uses: Marine fittings and chemical and pharmaceutical equipment.

Chemical composition (wt %): C max 0.08, Si max 0.75, Mn max 2.00, Cr 16.0–18.0, Ni 10.0–14.0, Mo 2.00–3.00.

Equivalent grades: W.Nr 1.4401; DIN X5CrNiMo17-12-2; JIS SUS316.

Steel weight calculator

Flat: Width × Thickness × 0.00785 = kg per metre. Round: Dia × Dia ÷ 162 = kg per metre.