VT machining offers CNC Milling for D3 Tool Steel (UNS T30403 / 1.2080 / SKD1), typically supplied annealed or hardened. Higher carbon than D2 for maximum wear but lower toughness.
CNC Milling Notes for D3 Tool Steel
D3 Tool Steel mills well with conventional strategies; finishing passes are planned to meet flatness and finish callouts.
For estimating, a 100 × 100 × 10 mm block of D3 Tool Steel weighs about 0.77 kg.
Starting Parameters for CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel
| Cutting speed (carbide) | 60-110 m/min |
|---|---|
| Feed per tooth | 0.028-0.088 mm |
| Spindle speed, Ø10 mm end mill | 1910-3500 rpm |
| Insert / tool class | ISO P — CVD-coated carbide |
| Coolant | Emulsion; neat oil for tapping |
| Thermal growth, 100 mm part, +10 °C | 11 µm (CTE 11 µm/m·K) |
Starting values for D3 Tool Steel, Annealed or hardened; optimised on the first article.
D3 Tool Steel Data Relevant to CNC Milling
| Equivalent designations | UNS T30403 / 1.2080 / SKD1 |
|---|---|
| Key composition | C ~2.1%, Cr ~12% |
| Typical supply condition | Annealed or hardened |
| Hardness (typical) | Up to ~64 HRC |
| Machinability rating | 40% (AISI B1112 = 100%) |
Typical values; we work to your drawing and mill certificate.
How D3 Tool Steel Differs
Higher carbon than D2 for maximum wear but lower toughness.
Typical applications: Drawing dies, shear blades.
D3 Tool Steel vs Similar Grades
| D3 Tool Steel | D2 Tool Steel | H13 Tool Steel | A2 Tool Steel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key composition | C ~2.1%, Cr ~12% | C ~1.5%, Cr ~12%, Mo, V | C ~0.4%, Cr ~5%, Mo ~1.3%, V ~1% | C ~1%, Cr ~5%, Mo ~1% |
| Hardness | Up to ~64 HRC | ~255 HB annealed; 58-62 HRC hardened | ~230 HB annealed; 44-52 HRC hardened | ~250 HB annealed; 57-62 HRC hardened |
| Machinability % | 40 | 45 | 70 | 65 |
| Typical use | Drawing dies, shear blades | Cutting dies, slitters, wear parts | Die-casting dies, extrusion tools, forging dies | Blanking dies, punches, gauges |
More on CNC Milling Alloy Steel
Finishing options, quality documentation and general cnc milling guidance for all alloy steel grades are on our CNC Milling Alloy Steel page.
No drawing yet? Sketch the part in our free 3D + 2D builder and send it with your RFQ.
Quoting CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel
Send a STEP/IGES model or PDF drawing, confirm D3 Tool Steel and its condition (we usually see it supplied annealed or hardened), the quantity, critical tolerances and any finish or certificate requirements.
D3 Tool Steel in Other Processes
Related
Send the drawing, the D3 Tool Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel and how is it done?
CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel refers to multi-axis milling cutters remove material to produce prismatic features, pockets, slots and contoured 3D surfaces. Applied to D3 Tool Steel — wear-resistant and hardenable for tooling — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Why is D3 Tool Steel a good choice for CNC Milling?
D3 Tool Steel is wear-resistant and hardenable for tooling, which makes it well suited to CNC Milling. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished D3 Tool Steel machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel?
CNC Milling prototypes for D3 Tool Steel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel?
Achievable tolerances for D3 Tool Steel machining depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Milling holds positional and dimensional tolerances to around ±0.01 mm, tighter with precision setups. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
Does CNC Milling D3 Tool Steel require dedicated tooling?
Most D3 Tool Steel machining work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
