SKD61 Heat Treatment: Why Vacuum Furnaces from Brother Furnace Are the Ideal Solution

What is SKD61?

SKD61, also known as H13 in the American standard, is a chromium-molybdenum hot work tool steel widely used in the manufacturing of molds and dies that are exposed to high thermal and mechanical stress. It offers outstanding properties such as:

• Excellent red hardness (retains strength at high temperatures)

• High resistance to thermal fatigue and cracking

• Good toughness and wear resistance

• Excellent machinability and polishability

These properties make SKD61 an ideal material for producing components such as:

• Aluminum and zinc die casting molds

• Extrusion dies for non-ferrous metals

• Hot shear blades and punches

• Forging dies used in the automotive and aerospace industries

However, to maximize its performance and durability in high-temperature applications, SKD61 must undergo precise and well-controlled heat treatment, particularly hardening and tempering. The right heat treatment not only enhances its mechanical properties but also extends its service life in extreme environments.

Why Heat Treatment is Critical for SKD61

Heat treatment is the most crucial process in bringing out the full potential of SKD61 steel. Without proper heat treatment, the material may suffer from:

• Surface oxidation or decarburization

• Poor hardness or uneven structure

• Dimensional instability or warping

• Reduced thermal fatigue resistance

The standard heat treatment process for SKD61 includes:

1. Preheating (typically 600–850°C) to reduce thermal shock

2. Austenitizing (generally 1000–1050°C) to transform the structure

3. Quenching (usually in inert gas) to harden the material

4. Tempering (around 500–650°C) to relieve stress and adjust hardness

Traditional atmosphere furnaces are often unable to maintain consistent quality due to oxidation, carbon loss, and limited temperature control. By contrast, vacuum heat treatment provides a much more controlled, cleaner, and repeatable environment—ideal for critical materials like SKD61.

Advantages of Vacuum Heat Treatment for SKD61

Vacuum heat treatment offers numerous technical and economic advantages when processing SKD61 tool steel. Here are the key benefits:

🔹 No Oxidation or Decarburization

Vacuum furnaces eliminate oxygen and reactive gases, ensuring that the steel surface remains clean, bright, and free of scale. This avoids the need for additional surface grinding or polishing after heat treatment.

🔹 Enhanced Surface Quality

The absence of oxidation during heating means that parts come out of the furnace with a pristine metallic surface. This is especially important for precision tools and molds where surface finish matters.

🔹 Excellent Dimensional Accuracy

The uniform heating and controlled cooling prevent thermal distortion and warping, ensuring better dimensional control—critical in high-precision mold making.

🔹 Uniform Microstructure and Hardness

Precise control over heating rates, soaking time, and quenching pressure leads to a more consistent and refined microstructure, resulting in improved hardness and strength across the entire workpiece.

🔹 Energy Efficiency and Environmental Benefits

Vacuum furnaces consume less energy than traditional atmosphere furnaces and produce fewer emissions, making them a cleaner and more sustainable option for modern heat treatment facilities.

Recommended Vacuum Furnace for SKD61 Heat Treatment

Brother Furnace specializes in designing and manufacturing high-performance vacuum furnaces tailored for demanding heat treatment processes like that of SKD61 tool steel. Our Vacuum Gas Quenching Furnace series is the ideal choice for customers seeking high precision, efficiency, and repeatability.

✅ Key Features:

• Working temperature: Up to 1350°C

• Vacuum level: ≤ 5×10⁻³ Pa (high vacuum)

• Quenching system: High-pressure gas cooling up to 6 bar (Nitrogen or Argon)

• Heating elements: Tungsten, molybdenum, or graphite based on temperature requirements

• Temperature control: PLC-based multi-zone control system with touchscreen HMI

• Chamber size customization: Suitable for molds, inserts, die blocks, and punches

• Cooling rate: Adjustable to meet different metallurgical requirements

Whether you are treating small precision parts or large die blocks, Brother Furnace can provide tailored solutions with optimal chamber size, heating configuration, and quenching capacity.

Our systems have been successfully installed in industries such as:

• Die and mold manufacturing

• Automotive part suppliers

• Aerospace tool steel processing

• Heat treatment job shops

Conclusion

SKD61 steel is a critical material for high-temperature tooling applications, and its performance is directly tied to the quality of its heat treatment. Vacuum heat treatment—especially with high-pressure gas quenching—ensures that SKD61 reaches its full potential in hardness, toughness, and dimensional accuracy.

Brother Furnace’s vacuum furnaces are engineered to deliver precise, consistent, and high-quality heat treatment results. With decades of experience, advanced technology, and global service support, we are your reliable partner in tool steel heat treatment.

Contact Brother Furnace today to get a custom vacuum heat treatment solution for your SKD61 components and discover how we can help you optimize your production and performance.