AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel: High-Carbon High-Chromium vs AISI A2 Air-Hardening Cold Work Tool Steel: Distortion-Free Grade
Side-by-side engineering comparison of AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel: High-Carbon High-Chromium (ASTM A681) and AISI A2 Air-Hardening Cold Work Tool Steel: Distortion-Free Grade (ASTM A681). Compare mechanical properties, chemical composition, density, yield strength, international equivalents, and typical applications to select the right material for your project.
Quick Comparison
| Property | AISI D2 Cold Work Tool St | AISI A2 Air-Hardening Col |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM A681 | ASTM A681 |
| Category | Tool Steel | Tool Steel |
| Density | 7.70 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Yield Strength | 1,530 MPa (222 ksi) at 58-60 HRC | 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) at 60 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) at 58-60 HRC | 1,760 MPa (255 ksi) at 60 HRC |
| Key Applications | AISI D2 is a high-carbon high-chromium cold work tool steel (1.40-1.60% C, 11.0-13.0% Cr) providing excellent wear resis... | AISI A2 is a 5% chromium air-hardening cold work tool steel (0.95-1.05% C, 4.75-5.50% Cr, 0.90-1.40% Mo, 0.15-0.50% V)—t... |
International Equivalents
| AISI D2 Cold Work To Equivalents | AISI A2 Air-Hardenin Equivalents |
|---|---|
| EN X153CrMoV12 | EN X100CrMoV5 |
| DIN 1.2379 | DIN 1.2363 |
| SKD11 | SKD12 |
| Cr12MoV | Cr5Mo1V |
| JIS SKD11 | JIS SKD12 |
How to Choose
| Choose AISI D2 Cold Work Tool St when... | D2 (12% Cr) provides superior wear resistance from massive chromium carbides—standard for high-production blanking dies. |
| Choose AISI A2 Air-Hardening Col when... | A2 (5% Cr) offers better toughness and dimensional stability for complex die shapes. |
Frequently Compared Questions
What is the main difference between AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel: and AISI A2 Air-Hardening Cold Wor?
AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel: High-Carbon High-Chromium (ASTM A681) provides 1,530 MPa (222 ksi) at 58-60 HRC yield strength at 7.70 g/cm³ density, while AISI A2 Air-Hardening Cold Work Tool Steel: Distortion-Free Grade (ASTM A681) delivers 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) at 60 HRC at 7.85 g/cm³. The choice depends on whether your application prioritizes maximum wear resistance for high-volume production or better toughness for complex tools prone to chipping.
Can AISI D2 Cold Work Tool Steel: be substituted for AISI A2 Air-Hardening Cold Wor?
In many applications, these materials can be cross-referenced, but direct substitution should always be verified against specific project specifications, especially for maximum wear resistance for high-volume production, better toughness for complex tools prone to chipping, and operating environment. Consult your engineer of record.