DIE STEELS FOR

DIE CASTING DAC Series

In compliance with changes of die
casting technology

YSS Correlation for Diecasting Die steels

High

In compliance with diversification of diecasting technology, variety of steel

grade is prepared in order to best fit for each individual application.

YXR33

For ejector pins

High temperature molten alloy

High strength
at high temperature

DAC10
Strength at high temperature

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

DAC45

DAC55

Strength
toughness

Isotropy

FDAC

DAC

SKD61

Prehardened steel

E-DAC

Standard die steel

HPM7

Toughness

High

Die Steel for Diecasting Die-Kind and Features

Applications
Die for Aluminium/Zinc Alloy in
general use

High efficiency die, Squeeze die

Steel Brand

Features

DAC

Strength at elevated temperature and toughness are well

equivalent to JIS SKD61

balanced. Good machinability and less deformation after

0.38C-5Cr-1.3Mo-1V

heat treatment.

DAC55

Superior heat crack resistance.

Higher toughness enables initial hardness of dies much

5Cr-Mo-V-Ni-Co

higher.

DAC10

Higher strength at elevated temperature and good heat

5Cr-2.5Mo-V

crack resistance.

Die for high melting point aluminium

DAC45

Higher strength at elevated temperature.

alloy and copper alloy

3.5Cr-W-Mo-V

Good crack development resistance.

YXR33

Highest strength at elevated temperature.

Matrix HSS

Best erosion resistance.

FDAC

Standard hardness is 40HRC.

Precision Die Cast Die

Longer life pin, insert die parts

Die for small lot, Simple die

Simple die Core, Backblock

SKD61+S

Sulphurized DAC

Delivered prehardened.

HPM7

Prehardened to 32HRC.Good machinability & Toughness.

Least difference of hardness between surface and center

Mn-Cr-Mo

of large mold.

Appearance of Heat Crack and Test Result

Heat crack

Appearance

Cross Section

Diecast in general use

On the flat surface of dies
Network
Temperature of molten material

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

0.1mm

0.1mm

Precision/Hi-Si Al-alloy
Diecast
On the edge of dies
Crack openning
Temperature of molten material
50mm

0.1mm

Diecast in SQ use
At the corner of dies
Stress concentration
Temperature of molten material

0.4mm

Number of cycles of heat crack initiation and cross sectional appearance

Test: Repetition of Heating upto 600C by high frequency and Cooling by spray water. Specimen used is one end of dia
90mm bar.

No. of test cycle

Steel Brand HRC

DAC

43

DAC

47

1000

Occurance of heat crack

DAC

51

DAC10

47

DAC55

50

DAC55

53

cycle
2000

3000

Observation of heat crack

Cross sectional
appearance

0.5mm

Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength at elevated temperature
(N/mm2)
(MPa)
1,800

170

1,600

160

1,500

140

1,300

130

1,200

Quench 1,020C x 30min

Half Temperature Time 30 min.
Oil Cooling

44HRC
Tensile Strength

150

1,400

Tensile Strength

Tempering Hardness
50HRC

180

1,700

40HRC

120

1,100

110

1,000

100

900

90

800

80

700

70

600

60

500

50

400

40

300

30
20
100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Testing Temperature X 10min.

Tempered hardness vs Tensile Strength at elevated temperature

1400
Tensile Strenght at elevated temperature
(N/mm2)

Tempered hardness vs Charpy I - Value

70

600C

DAC55

1200

60
DAC55

DAC10

1000
800

DAC

600

2U Charpy Impact Value

(J/cm2)

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

(kgf/mm2)

YXR33
DAC45

DAC10

400

DAC55

DAC

200

DAC10

DAC55

50

DAC

DAC
DAC45

40
DAC10

30

Quench Cool Speed

solid line:oil cool
dashed line:half temperature time 30min

20
10

700C
0

0
40

45

50
Hardness (HRC)

55

60

40

42

44
46
Hardness (HRC)

48

50

Physical Properties
Thermal Expansion
Coefficient
X 10-6/ C
Thermal Conductivity
W/mK[cal/cmsC]

Temperature

DAC

DAC10

DAC55

DAC45

YXR33

100C

11.7

10.7

11.6

10.5

11.6

700C

14.0

13.2

13.7

13.6

13.2

20C

30.5
[0.073]

32.2
[0.077]

34.5
[0.082]

26.4
[0.063]

27.2
[0.065]

700C

28.0
[0.067]

28.5
[0.068]

28.0
[0.067]

27.6
[0.066]

29.7
[0.071]

DAC

Quenched & tempered hardness

60

DAC Standard Quality for

Aluminium Diecasting

50
Hardness (HRC)

DAC
(Quench 1,020C HTT 30min)

40

30

20

Features

10
500
550
600
as quenched 400
Tempering Temperature (C)

*Good balance of both strength at elevated temperature

and toughness.
*Good machinability with less deformation after heat
treatment.

650

700

Standard Heat Treatment Process

Applications

1,000
~1,050C

Quench

*General die for Aluminium Diecasting.

*Die for Zinc Diecasting.
*Die for low pressure casting.

Forced Air
Cooling High
Pressure Gas
Cooling etc.

750
~800C

(Remarks)
Both forged and cast steel available for low pressure casting die
with prehardened condition of 30-40HRC.

500
~550C
Second
Pre
-heating

First
Pre
-heating

Hardend hardness
45~48HRC general size dies.
43~46HRC big size dies.

Austeniti
-zation

300
~350C

Quench cooling speed and Microstructure (X400)

Oil cool

Air Cooling

Tempering

Pre
-heating

Half Temperature Time

(30min.)

To Tempering
Furnace
100~150C

550~680C

Temper

Room
Temperature

Tempering is required at least two times or more.

Tempered hardness vs Charpy I-Value

(J/cm2) (kgfm / cm2)
80
8

Half Temperature Time

(60min.)
Quench Temperature
1020C
Hardness
44HRC

2U Charpy I-Value

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

DAC is most widely used as Die for Aluminium and Zinc

Diecasting. DAC is hot working tool steel with good
balance of strength, toughness and heat resistance.
With introduction of Isotoropy technology DAC has
become tougher and more isotropic to help life of dies
longer and stable.

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

1,020C

Oil cool
Half Temperature time
15min
30min
45min
60min

40

44
48
Hardness (HRC)

52

DAC55

Quenched & tempered hardness

60

DAC55 For High Performance

Diecasting

1020C

DAC55 has been developed in responding to the needs

for a longer die life or a steel with good hardenablity as
well as heat crack resistance and toughness for large
and medium size dies.

50

Hardness(HRC)

1000C
45

40

*Good heat crack resistance.

*Higher service hardness of 50-53HRC.
*Higher resistant to crack development.
*Higher strength at elevated temperature.
*Good hardenability.

35

30

25

Applications

400

500

as quenched

*Precision diecasting die.

*Big and medium dies for diecasting.
*Squeeze diecasting die.

550

600

650

700

(C)Tempering Temp.

Recommended hardness
Hardness
(HRC)

Standard Heat Treatment

Quench 1010-1030C quick cool
Temper 550C-640C
Hardness 43-53 HRC

Application

50-53

Small / Squeeze Die

( Anti-Heat Crack )

46-50

General Use Die

43-46

Large Die (Priority: Toughness)

(Remarks) Recommended hardness may not apply depending on

projection or casting conditions

Quench cooling speed

and Microstructure (X 400)

Tempered hardness vs Charpy I-Value

Charpy I-Value (kgfm/cm2)

Half Temperature Time

(15min.)

DAC55

40

DAC

3
2

20

1
0

Half Temperature Time

(30min.)

46

48
50
Hardness (HRC)

Charpy I-Value (J/cm2)

52

Quench Cool Speed vs Charpy I-Value

Quench Temperature
1020C Hardness
44HRC

(Test Result of 250mm Qubic Block)

50
2mmU Charpy I-Value (J/cm2)
T-Direction

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Features

Oil cool

Quenching temperature
1040C

55

40

30

DAC
(45HRC)

20

10

DAC55
(50HRC)

10

20
30
40
Half Temperature Time (min)
Cooling Time (1,020C520C)

50

60

DAC10

Quenched & tempered hardness

60

DAC10 For Precision Diecasting

50
Hardness (HRC)

As material of die for diecast products required higher

level of surface, and heat crack resistance has been
intensified.
Most useful for small and medium size dies of their
longer life.

30

20

*Higher strength at elevated temperature and good heat

crack resistance.
*Good erosion resistance.

10

400
as quenched

500

550

600

650

700

Tempering Temperature (C)

Applications
*Small / Medium size dies of which O-ring grooves
require heat crack resistance.
*Medium dies for products like headcover which requires
good appearance.
*Small dies for VTR parts or OA components which
require erosion resistance.

Quench 1010-1030C quick cool

Temper 570C-610C
Hardness 44-51 HRC

Quench cooling speed and Microstructure (X 400)

Oil cool

(1020C Quenching)

(J/cm2) (kgfm/cm2)
80
8

2U Charpy I-Value

Standard Heat Treatment

Tempered hardness vs Charpy I-Value

Half Temperature Time

(15min.)

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

Oil cool
Half Temperature
time 15min

60min
30min
45min

40
44
Hardness (HRC)

48

52

Oil Cool Test Piece Size: 10 X 10 X 55mm

Quench Cool Speed vs Charpy I-Value

(1020C Quenching)

(J/cm2) (kgfm/cm2)
80
8

Half Temperature Time

(30min.)
Quench Temperature
1020C Hardness
44HRC

2U Charpy I-Value

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Features

DAC10
(Quench 1,020C HTT 15min)

40

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

40HRC
44HRC
48HRC
52HRC

Oil cool

15

30
HTT: min.

45

60

DAC45

Quenched & tempered hardness

60

DAC45 For Diecasting Al-Alloy

containing high Silicon
Hardness (HRC)

50

Exclusively developed for dies used in elevated

temperature casting of 750C molten steel. Superb
erosion resistance.

30
DAC45
Quench 1,070C
Oil Cooling

20

*Exceptional high strength at elevated temperature.

*Higher resistant to crack development.

10

Applications

as quenched

500

550

600

650

700

Standard Heat Treatment Process

1,060
~1,070C

Quench

Standard Heat Treatment

750
~800C

Quench 1060-1070C oil cool

Temper 570C-610C
Hardness 47-51 HRC

Oil cool

500
~550C
First
Pre
-heating

Quench temperature and Microstructure (X 400)

1060C

400

Tempering Temp. (C)

*Die for High Silicon Aluminium Diecasting like ADC14.

*Die for Copper Alloy Diecasting.
*Erosion resistant pin, insert die parts.

Second
Pre
-heating

Austeniti
-zation

1080C

100~150C
To Tempering
Furnace

570~640C

Temper
300
~350C

Air Cooling

Pre
-heating

Tempering

Room
Temperature

Tempering is requuired at least two times or more.

Overheat 1100C

Softening Resistance
50

DAC
DAC45
45
650C
40

Hardness (HRC)

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Features

40

35
700C
30

25

20

2
4
Keeping Time (h)

YXR33

Quenched & tempered hardness

62
Quenching Temperature
1,160C

YXR33 For High quality

Insert Pin

60

YXR33 is a HSS with higher toughness which solved

breakage problem often existed in SKH51.
Fitted for insert pin or other inserts exposed to critical
wear due to erosion.

58
1,140C

Hardness (HRC)

56

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Features
*Highest strength at elevated temperature among HSS
and Alloy Tool Steel.
*Toughness is more than 5 times as big as SKH51.
*Excellent nitridability.

1,120C
54
1,080C
52

50

Applications
48

*Erosion resistant insert pin.

*Insert die parts.

46

Standard Heat Treatment

Quench 1080-1140C oil cool
Temper 550C-600C
Hardness 52-58 HRC

500

550

600

650

Tempering Temp. (C) X 1h

Specimen after Meltdown Damage Test

Microstructure as quenched & tempered (X 400)

Weight loss
46.8%

1140C

DAC (48HRC)

14.8%
DAC (48HRC) Nitriding

0.8%
YXR33 (52HRC) Nitriding

Meltdown Damage Test

(Specimen and Testing Condition)
90rpm
Test 2h
Heater

Molten Al-Alloy 700:

90mm

10mm
10mm

Specimen

FDAC/HPM7
Mechanical Properties (Reference)

Prehardened free machining

die steel

Hardness

0.2% Yielding Tensile

(HRC)

FDAC
FDAC is based on DAC for main components with
addition of Sulphur for machinability. As delivered prehardened to 38-42HRC, direct cavity making is possible.

Elongation

Reduction

Strength

Strength

of Area

(MPa)

(MPa)

(%)

(%)

DAC

40

1070

1250

12

58

FDAC

40

1060

1240

11

20

HPM7

32

860

980

20

55

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

HPM7
HPM is prehardened to 29-33HRC and has good
machinability.

Charpy I - Value (Reference)

(HRC)

Longitudinal
direction
(J/cm2)

Transverse
direction
(J/cm2)

DAC

40

58

39

FDAC

40

19

10

HPM7

32

67

61

Hardness

Features
*Good machinability.
*As delivered prehardened, no futher heat treatment is
necessary.
Possible to reduce manufacturing time and total cost.

Size of Raw Material: 280 X 640

Position of Specimen: w/2 X t/4

Applications
Die for small lot , simple die, plain die, holding lock.
FDAC priority strength.
HPM7 priority & toughness machinability.

Machinability

Drilling

FDAC (39HRC)
DAC (38HRC)
Face
milling

Index of tool life (DAC (38HRC)=1)

Cutting condition
Face milling

Drilling

Cutter

f63

Tool

HSS Co 4

Insert

Coated cemented carbide

Cutting speed

20m/min

Number of inserts

Feed

0.1mm/rev

Cutting speed

130m/min

Depth

40mm (Blind)

Feed

0.15mm/Tooth

Coolant

Water-Soluble

Depth

0.5mm

Life

Number of cutting hole

Coolant

dry

Life

VB=0.3mm

10

Machinability

Comparison of machinability by Endmill machining

Machinability order
DAC>DAC10>DAC55>DAC45

80
60
40
20

Annealed
0

DAC

DAC10

48HRC

DAC55

DAC45

Comparison of machinability by Facemill machining

Face mill
One insert as for test purpose
Insert: Cemented Carbide+Coating (TiN)
Depth of cut

6000
Cutted Volume to life (cc)

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Ratio of Machirability (%)

100

5000
4000
3000
2000
1000

DAC

80

DAC55

120

160
Cutting Speed (m/min)

200

Cutting condition by Endmill (Reference)

DAC10

DAC
Tool Material

Powder HSS

Annealed
condition

43HRC

V=25

V=20

f=0.07

f=0.05

48HRC
n. a.

Annealed
condition
V=15
f=0.07

48HRC
n. a.

DAC55
Annealed
condition
V=15
f=0.07
V=20

48HRC

51HRC

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

n. a.

V=30

V=25

f=0.07

f=0.05

Cemented Carbide+Coating

V=45

V=35

V=25

V=35

V=15

V=35

V=17

V=15

Standard edge

f=0.05

f=0.03

f=0.03

f=0.05

f=0.03

f=0.05

f=0.03

f=0.03

Cemented Carbide+Coating

V=50

V=40

V=30

V=50

V=25

V=50

V=30

V=25

Hi-speed edge

f=0.08

f=0.05

f=0.05

f=0.08

f=0.05

f=0.08

f=0.05

f=0.05

Powder HSS+Coating

n. a.

11

V=20
f=0.07

n. a.

f=0.07

Repair Welding
Followings show standard repair welding method in build-up welding due to
design change or repair welding due to heat crack.
Material involved : DAC, DAC55, DAC10, DAC45, FDAC, E-DAC.
State
of
Die

Welding

Welding

Welding

Rod

Method

Condition

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Welding

Annealed
State

350~
400C

300~
400C

DAC or
same steel
Welding bar
1.6~4.0

TIG

680~
730C

Furnance
Cooling
or Ash
Cooling

250: Above

After-heating

Pre-heating

100~
150C
Anneal 2 times in case of Large block.

Current
80~200A
Flux of Ar gas
8-15R/min

Hardened
State

Temp.
between
weldlayers

Welding Process Chart

Welding

YAG

300~
400C

350~
400C

After-heating
Pre-heating
100~
150C

below Tempering
Temperature of Die
Air Cooling

RT
~100C

Remarks
1. YAG is a brand name of Hitachi Maraging Steel used for various applications including high
grade welding rod. Using YAG welding rod remarkably decreases such welding defects as "bead
crack" or "pin holes".
2. TIG Welding Method (Tangsten Inert Gas Welding Method) is to make arc between tangsten
electrode covered by argon gas and objects to be welded, and then wire is inserted into the heat
pool generated by the arc.
3. Use lower current and finer welding wire in order to get better efficiency of welding metal.
In order to prevent crater cracks, avoid an overlap of the crater of backward pass on the crater of
foregoing pass.
To avoid an overheat of mother material, conduct an interrupted welding with short bead.
4. Keeping time of Temper and Anneal after welding should be 1h/25mm in thickness.
5. A careful attention is to be paid of crack during grinding.

12

250: Above

Actual Performance by Customers

DIE STEELS FOR DIE CASTING / DAC Series

Diecast
Products
Brand

Machine Capa
(die size mm)

Comparision of Actural Performance by Customers

Current

Effect

Application

Autoparts surface
priority

800ton
120X210X300

DAC (44HRC)
37K shot 1st heat crack

DAC (48HRC)
50K shot 1st heat crack

1.35 times

OA Components
(precision die)

250 ton
80X200X300

DAC15K shot 1st heat crack

30K shot repair. 80K shot scrap

DAC10 24K shot 1st heat crack.

No grinding repair. 120K shot scrap

1.6 times
min.

OA Components
(precision die)

650 ton
90X215X380

DAC 1K shot 1st bite

30K shot scrap

DAC10 10K shot no bite

3 times
min

Autoparts surface
priority

2000 ton

DAC (47HRC)
60K shot heat crack

100K shot still on service

1.6times
min.

Autoparts

2500 ton

DAC (43HRC) heat crack

DAC55 (48HRC) later heat crack

4 times

Autoparts
(thin insert)

n.a.

DAC 20K shot breakage

DAC55 40K shot and more

2 times

Wheel

1800 ton

DAC/DAC4 heat crack

2 times shot of DAC/DAC4 before crack

2 times

P/Computer
Case (Mg)

n.a.

DAC 5K shot heat crack

DAC55 25K shot no repair

5 times
min

High melting point

Al-alloy autoparts

320 ton
90X200X300

DAC 5K shot 1st heat crack

DAC45 10K shot 1st heat crack but still in

2 times
service

High melting point

Al-alloy autoparts

Insert

DAC (52HRC)
3.5K shot meltdown

DAC45 (52HRC)
13K shot meltdown

4 times

Autoparts

Insert Pin

DAC 3K shot meltdown & galling

YXR33 10K shot still on service

3 times

High melting point

Al-alloy autoparts

Insert Pin

SKH51 (60HRC)
2K shot breakage

YXR33 (54HRC)+TiN
20K shot meltdown

10 times

13

Hitachi Metals, Ltd.

Head Office

http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/

SEAVANS North Building, 1-2-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku,

Tokyo 105-8614, Japan Specialty Steel Company

Tel. +81-3-5765-4410
Fax. +81-3-5765-8317

Hitachi Metals America, Ltd.

Head Office

2 Manhattanville Road, Suite 301,

Purchase, NY 10577, U.S.A.

Other Office

Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, San Jose

Tel. +1-914-694-9200
Fax. +1-914-694-9279

Hitachi Metals Europe GmbH

Head Office

Immermannstrasse 14-16,40210 Duesseldorf,

Germany

Tel. +49-211-16009-0
Fax. +49-211-16009-29

Hitachi Metals Singapore Pte. Ltd.

12 Gul Avenue, Singapore 629656

Tel. +65-6861-7711
Fax. +65-6861-1519

Hitachi Metals (Shanghai) Ltd.

11F, Tian An Center, No.338 NanJing Road (West),
Shanghai, 200003, China

Tel. +86-21-6358-6368
Fax. +86-21-6358-6327

Hitachi Metals(Dong Guan)Specialty Steel Co.,Ltd.

Guangzhou
Liaison Office

Cha Shan Town, Dong Guan City, 522380 China

Tel. +86-769-640-6726
Fax. +86-769-640-6716

Dalian Branch

3-2, Koushin Mould Industrial Park III B-1-1-1F.

T. Z. Dalian, China

Tel. +86-411-8718-1011/1022
Fax. +86-411-8718-1033

Tianjin Branch No.13 Workshop, Wenxin Industrial Park, Jingxiang

Road, Xiaodian Town, Beichen Economic

Development Zone, Tianjin, China

Tel. +86-22-8699-3101/3102
Fax. +86-22-8699-3103

Hitachi Metals, Ltd.

Beijing
Liaison Office

Room No.1418, Beijing Fortune Building,5 Dong San Tel. +86-10-6590-8775

Huan Bei-Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100004 China Fax. +86-10-6590-8776

Guangzhou
Liaison Office

R3303, Metro plaza,183 Tianhebei Road Tianhe

District, Guangzhou city, Guangdong, 510075 China

Tel. +86-20-8755-3649
Fax. +81-20-8755-3650

The characteristics listed in this catalog are representative average

values which may differ from actual product characteristics.

This catalog and its contents are subject to change without notice.
Do not duplicate this catalog without
Metals,Ltd.

permission from Hitachi

Please contact a representative of our Specialty Steel Division if

there are any questions or problems.

Our address and contact indicated in this catalog are those as of November 2007.
If you cannot put a call through, please contact our Corporate Communication Group.
in Tokyo below.
Tel:+81-3-5765-4076
Fax:+81-3-5765-8312
E-mail : hmcc@hitachi-metals.co.jp

January 2008 (PDF)