ER938-116 - D2 Tool Steel TIG Welding Rod 1/16" - 10lb Tube

Restore Your Tooling with D2 TIG Rods

Don't scrap expensive dies and molds when they chip or wear down—repair them with our professional-grade D2 Tool Steel TIG Rods. The ER938-116 is a 1/16" diameter filler metal specifically formulated to match AISI D2 tool steel, one of the most common cold-work steels used in manufacturing. This 10lb tube gives you an ample supply of high-quality rod for multiple repair jobs, making it a cost-effective solution for busy machine shops and maintenance crews.

D2 is legendary for its ability to hold a sharp edge and resist abrasion, but welding it can be tricky without the right filler metal. This rod is designed to match the chemistry of your D2 base metal, ensuring that the weld zone responds to heat treatment just like the rest of the tool. This means you won't have soft spots or brittle zones that could fail under load. The 1/16" diameter is perfect for fine detail work, allowing you to build up corners, edges, and small cavities with precision control over your heat input and bead profile.

Application Tips for Success

Successful welding of D2 tool steel requires careful preparation. Because D2 is air-hardening, it is sensitive to thermal shock. We recommend preheating your workpiece to approximately 800°F - 1000°F (depending on the specific application and mass) to prevent cracking during the cooling phase. Maintain interpass temperatures and allow the part to cool slowly in still air or insulating material. Once welded and heat-treated, the deposit can be ground to final dimensions, restoring your tool to its original operational capability.

Common Uses:

• Stamping Dies: Rebuild worn cutting edges to extend die life.
• Shear Blades: Repair chips and nicks in industrial cutting blades.
• Punches: Restore the face and edges of forming punches.
• Thread Rolling Dies: Fix minor surface imperfections.
• Slitting Cutters: Build up worn surfaces for re-grinding.

Equip your welding bench with the ER938-116 D2 TIG Rod and be ready to tackle critical tool repairs with confidence. The consistent diameter and clean surface finish of these rods ensure a stable TIG arc, giving you the control you need for high-stakes repairs on valuable equipment.