Tool Steel Selection for Coining & Powder Compaction Dies
Select tool steel by compressive pressure, abrasive wear, impact load, cracking risk, dimensional stability, and die support design. For coining and powder compaction dies, the main choice is usually between wear resistance, toughness, compressive strength, and resistance to bursting.
Quick Selection Guide by Tool Steel Grade
Choose the grade according to whether the tool is used for coining dies, powder compaction die cavities, punches, core rods, or support rings.
High-Volume Coining
D2 Tool Steel
1.2379 / SKD11 / Cr12Mo1V1
Recommended for press coining, sizing, long-run production, and powder compaction die inserts.
Reason: D2 provides high compressive strength and abrasion resistance where wear is the main failure risk.
Die Wall Wear
D3 Tool Steel
1.2080 / SKD1 / Cr12
Recommended for powder compaction die inserts and coining dies where strong wear resistance is required.
Reason: D3 contains a high volume of wear-resistant carbides, making it suitable for abrasive powder flow and high-pressure die contact.
Complex Dies
A2 Tool Steel
1.2363 / SKD12
Recommended for complex coining dies and powder compaction punches that need both toughness and dimensional stability.
Reason: A2 offers balanced wear resistance and toughness with low distortion during heat treatment.
General Coining
O1 Tool Steel
1.2510 / SKS3
Recommended for cold-work air- and oil-hardening die applications where general wear resistance is required.
Reason: O1 is used as an oil-hardening cold-work steel option when the application does not require the highest alloy content.
Shock Resistance
S1 Tool Steel
1.2550
Recommended for coining dies with deep configurations or sharp details where cracking is the main risk.
Reason: S1 sacrifices some wear resistance to gain toughness and resistance to chipping and splitting under shock load.
Heavy Shock
S7 Tool Steel
1.2355
Recommended for coining dies and powder compaction punches that face impact, bending moments, and cracking risk.
Reason: S7 provides high impact strength and toughness for tools that may crack if made from more brittle high-wear steels.
Tough Coining Dies
L6 Tool Steel
1.2714 / SKT4
Recommended when coining dies need higher toughness against cracking, chipping, or splitting.
Reason: L6 is selected where toughness is more important than maximum wear resistance in severe coining conditions.
Deep Details
H11 Tool Steel
1.2343 / SKD6
Recommended for coining dies with deep circular grooves, thin sections, intricate details, or support ring requirements.
Reason: H11 provides high toughness to help prevent die splitting under severe compressive and bursting stress.
Support Rings
H13 Tool Steel
1.2344 / SKD61
Recommended for tough coining dies, powder compaction punches, and support rings for hard inserts.
Reason: H13 offers toughness for tools or retainers where brittle wear-resistant inserts need strong support against bursting.
Punch Face Wear
M2 High Speed Steel
1.3343 / SKH51
Recommended for powder compaction die walls or punches when stronger wear resistance is required.
Reason: M2 is used where punch faces or die walls become severely abraded and need higher wear resistance.
Selection Summary
This table gives a faster comparison when the buyer already knows the die application and main failure risk. Coining and powder compaction sit alongside the other precision and special applications in the precision and special application selection page.
| Die Application | Main Requirement | Aobo Steel Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Press coining, sizing, and long-run coining dies | Compressive strength and abrasion resistance | D2, D3, A2 |
| Coining dies with deep details or sharp configurations | Toughness and resistance to cracking or splitting | S1, S7, L6, H11, H13 |
| Powder compaction die cavities and die walls | High abrasive wear resistance during powder flow and ejection | D2, D3, M2 |
| Powder compaction punches and core rods | Balance of shock resistance, compressive strength, and wear resistance | S7, A2, D2, H13, M2 |
| Hard inserts requiring external support | Tough retainer or support ring against bursting pressure | H11, H13 |