Steel 1.2601 · hardness band
Steel 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 56-58 HRC condition, compared with the other 1.2601 tempers.
Pick when some toughness/shock resistance is needed, e.g. thicker shear blades and cold heading dies.
What is 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC?
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC is 1.2601 heat treated to Q&T 56-58 HRC — pick when some toughness/shock resistance is needed, e.g. thicker shear blades and cold heading dies. 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 56-58 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.2601 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F).
Mechanical13
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has an electrical resistivity of 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 91% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability5
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1.2601 tempers and conditions
1.2601 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.2601 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for bar/flat/plate — machine and rough-form here, then harden.500 MPa yield · 230 HB
- Q&T 62-64 HRCMaximum hardness and abrasion resistance; only for rigidly supported, low-shock tooling.2,350 MPa tensile
- Q&T 60-62 HRCHigh-wear condition for punches, thread rolling dies and paper/wood knives with low impact loading.2,250 MPa tensile
- Q&T 58-60 HRCGeneral-purpose hardened condition balancing wear resistance and chipping risk for blanking and forming dies.2,100 MPa tensile
- Q&T 56-58 HRCPick when some toughness/shock resistance is needed, e.g. thicker shear blades and cold heading dies.1,950 MPa tensile
Working with 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC
Is 1.2601 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and positive rake; hardened parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can 1.2601 be welded?
Essentially unweldable for structural joints — repair welding only with matching high-alloy filler, 400–500 °C preheat, immediate post-weld temper.
Can 1.2601 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and a following soft anneal at 830–860 °C, then harden 950–980 °C (oil/air/vacuum) and temper 150–350 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1.2601?
Takes a high polish and is normally left bright and oiled; nitriding, PVD (TiN/TiCN/CrN) or phosphating are used for wear and anti-galling — it is not stainless and must be protected from moisture.
1.2601 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1.55 – 1.75 | 1.65 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 11 – 12 | 11.5 |
| Moproducer ranges vary 0.4–0.8 | 0.45 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC — frequently asked
What is 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC used for?
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC is typically used for blanking and piercing dies, shear and slitter blades, thread rolling plates, cold heading dies, woodworking and paper knives and powder compaction tooling. In short: premium die tool steel.
What is the yield strength of 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC?
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and positive rake; hardened parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially unweldable for structural joints — repair welding only with matching high-alloy filler, 400–500 °C preheat, immediate post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC?
Takes a high polish and is normally left bright and oiled; nitriding, PVD (TiN/TiCN/CrN) or phosphating are used for wear and anti-galling — it is not stainless and must be protected from moisture.
Can 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and a following soft anneal at 830–860 °C, then harden 950–980 °C (oil/air/vacuum) and temper 150–350 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC?
1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC?
Yes — 1.2601 Q&T 56-58 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- DIN 17350 — Tool steels (X165CrMoV12, 1.2601) — DIN (1980)
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels — ISO/CEN (2018)
- GB/T 1299 — (Cr12MoV) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (cold-work tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- High-carbon high-chromium cold-work tool steel datasheets (D2 / X165CrMoV12 class) — Böhler / voestalpine & other tool-steel producers (2022)
- Cr12MoV / 1.2601 — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.