Steel Cr12MoV · heat-treated state
Steel Cr12MoV Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other Cr12MoV tempers.
Default working condition for blanking, punching and forming dies where wear resistance dominates.
What is Cr12MoV Q&T?
Cr12MoV Q&T is Cr12MoV heat treated to Q&T — default working condition for blanking, punching and forming dies where wear resistance dominates. Cr12MoV Q&T has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). Cr12MoV Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 93% 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 — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
Cr12MoV Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cr12MoV Q&T — 16 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Cr12MoV temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Cr12MoV Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
Cr12MoV Q&T has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Cr12MoV Q&T is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cr12MoV Q&T conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 93% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cr12MoV Q&T takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability8
Cr12MoV Q&T's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (3/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Cr12MoV tempers and conditions
Cr12MoV is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Cr12MoV overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill/stockist condition for bar, flat and plate — machine the die here, then harden.460 MPa yield · 217 HB
- Hardened & TemperedPick for maximum wear resistance and dimensional stability on thin-stock blanking punches and shear blades.2,200 MPa tensile
- H&T 54-58 HRCChoose when toughness and resistance to chipping/warm working matter more than peak wear life (cold extrusion, heavy-section dies, nitriding base).1,900 MPa tensile
- Q&TDefault working condition for blanking, punching and forming dies where wear resistance dominates.1,800 MPa yield · 60 HRC
Working with Cr12MoV Q&T
Is Cr12MoV easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated-carbide tooling and low feeds; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN — abrasive Cr carbides cut tool life sharply.
Can Cr12MoV be welded?
Essentially not a weldable steel: repair welding only, with 400–500 °C preheat, matching high-Cr or tool-steel electrodes, slow cooling and immediate re-temper to avoid quench cracks.
Can Cr12MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050→850 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming is impractical — harden from 1020–1040 °C (oil, air or vacuum) and temper at least twice at 180–220 °C (or 500–520 °C for secondary hardening).
What surface finishes work on Cr12MoV?
Takes a fine polish for die surfaces but carbide pull-out limits mirror finishes; protect with black oxide, hard chrome, nitriding or PVD (TiN/TiCN/AlCrN) — cannot be anodised and will rust unoiled.
Cr12MoV 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 | 1.45 – 1.7 | 1.55 |
| Si≤0.40 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn≤0.40 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 11 – 12.5 | 11.75 |
| Mo | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| V | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
Cr12MoV Q&T — frequently asked
What is Cr12MoV Q&T used for?
Cr12MoV Q&T is typically used for cold blanking and piercing dies, cold forming and coining dies, thread rolling dies, shear and slitter blades, cold extrusion tooling and punches and die buttons. In short: cold-work die tool steel.
What is the yield strength of Cr12MoV Q&T?
Cr12MoV Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Cr12MoV Q&T 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, sharp carbide or coated-carbide tooling and low feeds; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN — abrasive Cr carbides cut tool life sharply.
Can Cr12MoV Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Essentially not a weldable steel: repair welding only, with 400–500 °C preheat, matching high-Cr or tool-steel electrodes, slow cooling and immediate re-temper to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on Cr12MoV Q&T?
Takes a fine polish for die surfaces but carbide pull-out limits mirror finishes; protect with black oxide, hard chrome, nitriding or PVD (TiN/TiCN/AlCrN) — cannot be anodised and will rust unoiled.
Can Cr12MoV Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050→850 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming is impractical — harden from 1020–1040 °C (oil, air or vacuum) and temper at least twice at 180–220 °C (or 500–520 °C for secondary hardening).
What is the maximum service temperature of Cr12MoV Q&T?
Cr12MoV Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Cr12MoV Q&T?
Yes — Cr12MoV Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 1299 (Cr12MoV) — SAC / (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (D2 cold-work tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- K110 / SKD11 cold-work tool steel datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2021)
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.