DC53 Applications & Check List
DC53 is a general purpose cold work tool steel with exceptional Toughness, Wear
Resistance, Compressive Strength and Temper Resistance. These properties are obtained
through its chemistry as well as its unique manufacturing process of ladle refinement,
vacuum degassing and forging methods. DC53 has excellent machining characteristics
and is well suited as a sub-straight for PVD and Nitride surface treatments. DC53 canalso be hot process CVD and TD (Thermal Diffusion) coated however post heat treat isrecommended.
DC53 applications to look for:• S7 applications with hardness specified HRC 57 or higher. The higher hardness issought after in an attempt to achieve higher wear resistance and strength however;
toughness drops nearly 30% when going form HRC 56 to HRC 58. S7 hasrelatively low wear resistance, compressive strength, and temper resistance.
DC53 has exceptional toughness as well as vastly superior wear resistance,strength, and temper resistance then that of S7.
• A2 applications – When wear and high load are a concern. Also when applying
surface treatments. DC53 has greater wear resistance, strength, and temper
resistance to support surface treatments without sacrificing machining andgrinding characteristics.
• D2 application – DC53 almost ALWAYS outperforms D2. DC53 has greater
toughness, wear resistance, compressive strength, and temper resistance as well as
better machining and grinding characteristics.
• M2 applications with hardness specified below HRC 60 or when additional
toughness is needed. M2 will loose much of its strength and wear resistancewhen hardened below HRC 60 which presents opportunities. DC53 has superior
toughness at equal hardness with nearly the same wear resistance.
• A11 High vanadium PM (Particle Metallurgy) and PM M4 applications
experience chipping, cracking and or breakage where DC53 even at HRC 62–64
has vastly higher toughness than either grade.
Available Sizes:
Rounds ¼” to 20”
Contact IMS for ¼” to 7/8” Dia.
Flats ½” to 12” thick up to 30” wide
Contact IMS for widths over 16”
For Sales Assistance:
Inside Sales
International Mold Steel
6796 Powerline Drive
Florence, KY 41042
Phone: (800) 625-6653
Fax: (859) 342-6006

For Technical Assistance:
Nick TarkanyNational Sales Manager, Die ProductsInternational Mold Steel
Cell Phone: (937) 477-5273
E-mail: ntarkany@imsteel.com

E-mail: salesdesk@imsteel.com
Web: www.imsteel.com

International Mold Steel • 6796 Powerline Dr, Florence, KY 41042 • (800) 625-6653
Web – www.imsteel.com

DC53 Applications & Check List
Application:
What is the current application?
Date: _____________________
 PunchSales Person: _____________________
 Die Button or Section
Phone #: (_____)_______________
 Form Block
Customer: _____________________ Shear Blade
Contact: _____________________
 Shredder Blade
Phone #: (_____)______________
 Thread & Form Roll
Heat #: _____________________
 Cold Heading Punch
 Cold Heading Die
 Mill Roll
 Slitter Knife Other _____________________
Tool Steel:Current Tool Steel Grade: ___________________ Heat Treater: ________________
Current Tool Steel Hardness: _________________ Heat Treater Location: _________
How is the Current Tool Steel failing?
 Chipping Breakage
 Deformation
 Wear Galling Other __________________________

Number of Hits
Before Sharpening: ____________
Total Tool Life: ____________Part Material:
Part Material Type: ______________________Part Material Thickness: ________Part Material Hardness: _____________________
Surface Treatments
Have surface treatments been applied to the tooling?
 Yes
 No
If Yes, what type? ___________________
If so, what process and temperature was used to apply the surface treatment?
Process: ___________________________
Temperature: _______________________
Was the tooling heat treated after the surface treatment was applied?
 Yes
 NoIf so, how? _________________________

International Mold Steel • 6796 Powerline Dr, Florence, KY 41042 • (800) 625-6653
Web – www.imsteel.com