Picture a situation when you are transforming a metal sheet into a precise form or shape with a very neat and single clean cut. Or, better yet, imagine being able to punch perfect holes through a material using a tool which never dulls. Such things in metalworking are possible, believe it or not, through the special features of D2 tool steel.

D2 is not your average type of metal. It boasts of excellent wear resistance making it a favorite within the realm of cold work steel. But, because there are different grades of D2 tool steel, making full use of all its potential requires being able to choose the right one for your particular needs.

First things first, just what is it that makes D2 steel so special? Aside from being a “cold work” tool steel – it does very well at room temperature – it is also very, very hard. Much unlike its high heat loving cousins, D2 manages to hold its shape and can resist wear as it performs tasks like shearing metals, stamping, and punching. This is all due to the high carbon content in D2 which makes it super hard. It also contains a hefty dose of chromium which does a lot to boost its resistance against wear while also providing some protection against rust.

As for choosing the right grade of D2 cold work steel, there are some things that will need to be considered. First, you need to know the exact type of work the tool will be doing. D2 does extremely well when the tool needs to stay strong and sharp during repeated use. So if the task is meant to be punching holes in plastic material or cutting sheets of metal, then D2 will happily do the job and do it well.

The next thing that must be considered is the amount of wear and tear the tool will face. In general, D2 steel does great in this situation, but there are grades formulated for facing even more extreme conditions. Should the project involve very heavy-duty wear, a specialized high-wear grade of D2 will definitely be a better option.

Another factor is toughness. Even though D2 cold work steel is tough, your project may require even higher levels of resistance to impact. Should that be the case, you will have to explore other grades that are specifically designed to handle heavy impact.

Next, you will need to consider heat treatment. D2 steel can either be oil-hardened or air-hardened. Grades that can be air-hardened are easier to work with within small workshops of homes as they do not require an oil-quenching process. Grades that require oil-hardening on the other hand can get much harder but will require an oil-quench.

Still very important is to consider machinability. Though D2 can be somewhat trickier to work with when compared to other tool steels, there are variations which are specially formulated for making them easier to customize and shape for your project. This can be vital is you are planning to create a complex tool design or need some precision machining.

Finally, you will need to consider the financial side of things. Different grades of D2 cold work steel have some price variations and you will need to strike a balance between what you need and your budget for the project.

The important thing to remember is that there is a variant of D2 available for almost any type of cold work project. By considering all the factors given above, you will be able to make an informed decision as to which grade will be best for your project.