· KAIPU Engineering · materials-encyclopedia · 1 min read
AISI D5 High-Carbon, High-Chromium + Molybdenum Cold-Work Tool Steel
Materials encyclopedia entry for D5.
AISI D5 High-Carbon, High-Chromium + Molybdenum Cold-Work Tool Steel is a reference entry for industrial cutting tools and blades. The composition, hardness, heat treatment and application guidance are summarised below for engineering reference.
Standard composition: C 1.40–1.60 %, Cr 11.0–13.0 %, Mo 0.70–1.20 %, V 0.40–1.00 %, Co 2.50–3.50 %, Mn ≤ 0.60 %, Si ≤ 0.60 %, balance Fe
Hardness: Annealed HB 220–255; hardened HRC 58–62
Heat treatment: Austenitise 980–1,020 °C, air cool, double temper 510–540 °C
Properties: Slightly better through-hardening than D2 from the Co and Mo additions. Wear resistance similar to D2. Used for heavy-section blades that need full hardness through 50+ mm sections.
Applications: Heavy-section shear blades, large granulator knives, rock-crusher blades, draw dies for thick plate.
Cross-reference: ≈ DIN 1.2601 (close).
See also: D2 vs SKD11 comparison, Material Grade Converter, The KAIPU 5-Factor Blade Selection Framework.