D7 vs D4
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
D7
Tool Steel
D7 combines maximum carbon and chromium with about 4% vanadium, giving the highest abrasive wear resistance of any conventional cold work steel. It is the last step before cemented carbide.
Standards: AISI D7
D4
Tool Steel
D4 is a deep-hardening high-carbon, high-chromium cold work steel with molybdenum and vanadium added to the D3 base chemistry. It keeps D3-class abrasion resistance while hardening through much thicker sections.
Standards: DIN — (X210CrMo12 family) · AISI D4 · JIS SKD2 (near) · GB Cr12Mo (near)
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | D7 | D4 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 2.15–2.50 | 2.10–2.35 |
| Si | 0.10–0.60 | 0.10–0.60 |
| Mn | 0.10–0.60 | 0.20–0.60 |
| Cr | 11.00–13.50 | 11.00–13.00 |
| Mo | 0.70–1.00 | 0.70–1.20 |
| V | 3.80–4.40 | 0.80–1.20 |
Properties compared
| Property | D7 | D4 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Hardness (hardened) | 58–64 HRC | 58–63 HRC |
| Density | 7.70 g/cm³ | 7.70 g/cm³ |
| Wear resistance | Highest of the standard cold work steels | Extreme |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: D7 · D4. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.