Cr12MoV Tool Steel

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Cr12MoV tool steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium ledeburite cold work tool steel with high hardness, wear resistance, and minimal quenching deformation. This steel grade is an improved version of Cr12 tool steel, with the addition of molybdenum (Mo) and vanadium (V) elements to enhance its performance characteristics.

1. Composition of Cr12MoV Steel（GB/ T 1299—2000）

CSiMnCrVMoSP
1.45 ~ 1.70≤0.40≤0.4011.00 ~ 12.500.15 ~ 0.300.40 ~ 0.60≤0.030≤0.030

2. Properties of Cr12MoV Steel

Critical Point Temperature

Critical PointAc₁Ac₃Ar₁Ms
Temperature (approx.) / °C8101200760185

Linear Expansion Coefficient

Temperature / °CLinear Expansion Coefficient α / (10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹)
20 ~ 10010.9
20 ~ 40011.4
20 ~ 60012.2

Cr12MoV is a high-carbon, high-chromium, high-hardenability ledeburitic steel. It is characterized by high hardness, good impact toughness, high hardenability, and low distortion upon quenching.

For cross-sectional dimensions up to 400mm, it can be fully through-hardened. Furthermore, it maintains good hardness and wear resistance at elevated temperatures in the range of 300 ~ 400°C.

With minimal volumetric change during quenching and excellent overall mechanical properties, Cr12MoV is considered one of the representative steel grades for high-end cold work tooling materials.

3. Forging Process Specification of Cr12MoV Steel

ItemHeating Temp. / °CInitial Forging Temp. / °CFinal Forging Temp. / °CCooling Method
Ingot1100 ~ 11501050 ~ 1100850 ~ 900Slow cooling (pit or sand cooling)
Billet1050 ~ 11001000 ~ 1050850 ~ 900Slow cooling (pit or sand cooling)

Note: Cr12MoV steel has a low melting point, so the heating temperature should not be too high; it has poor thermal conductivity, so attention should be paid to slow heating. After forging, it must be cooled slowly to avoid cracks. It can be placed in a preheated pit and cooled to 400-500°C. Annealing can be performed after cooling.

Cr12MoV steel
Cr12MoV tool steel

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4. Heat Treatment

4.1 Preheating

Process Parameters
Post-Forging AnnealingHeating temperature 850 ~ 870°C, hold for 1 ~ 2h, furnace cool to below 500°C then air cool. Hardness after annealing is 207 ~ 255HBW, microstructure is fine pearlite + carbide.
Post-Forging Isothermal AnnealingHeating temperature 850 ~ 870°C, hold for 1 ~ 2h, furnace cool to 720 ~ 750°C, hold for 3 ~ 4h, furnace cool to below 550°C then air cool. Hardness after annealing is 207 ~ 255HBW. Microstructure is fine pearlite + carbide.
High-Temperature TemperingHeating temperature 760 ~ 790°C, hold for 2 ~ 3h, furnace cool or air cool. Hardness is 207 ~ 255HBW.

4.2 Quenching

Quenching Process Specifications for Cr12MoV Steel

Scheme1st Preheating Temp./°C2nd Preheating Temp./°CQuenching Temp./°CQuenching MediumQuenching Medium Temp./°CCooling in MediumSubsequentlyHardness HRC
I550 ~ 600840 ~ 860950 ~ 1000Oil20 ~ 60To oil tempAir cooling58 ~ 62
II1020 ~ 1040Oil20 ~ 60To oil tempAir cooling62 ~ 63
III1020 ~ 1040Molten nitrate salt400 ~ 5505 ~ 10minAir cooling62 ~ 63
IV1115 ~ 1130Oil20 ~ 60To oil tempAir cooling42 ~ 50
V1115 ~ 1130Molten nitrate salt400 ~ 4505 ~ 10minAir cooling42 ~ 50

Note: Schemes IV and V are used for molds that require hot hardness and high wear resistance, such as hot stamping dies working below 450°C, but their mechanical properties are poor, and dimensional deformation is large. After quenching according to schemes I and II, the volume fraction of the microstructure is 12% carbides, 68% to 73% martensite, and 20% to 25% retained austenite.

Hardness and Quenching Temperature Under Different Heating and Cooling Conditions

Heating ConditionsCooling MethodQuenching Temp./°CHardness HRC
Heating in carburizing agentOil cooling93064
98065
101065
103063.5
Heating in air furnaceOil cooling93060.2
98063
101063.9
103063.5
Heating in air furnaceAir cooling93059
98062.5
101063.2
103062

4.3 Tempering

Tempering Process Specifications

SchemeQuenching Temp./°CTempering PurposeTempering Temp./°CMediumHardness HRC
I1020 ～ 1040Stress relief150 ~ 170Oil or nitrate salt61 ~ 63
IIStress relief, reduce hardness200 ~ 275—57 ~ 59
III400 ~ 425—55 ~ 57
IV1115 ~ 1130Stress relief and secondary hardening510 ~ 520℃ Multiple tempering—60 ~ 61
V-78℃ Cryogenic treatment + 510 ~ 520℃ single tempering—60 ~ 61
VI-78℃ Cryogenic treatment plus one 510 ~ 520℃ tempering, then another -78℃ cryogenic treatment—61 ~ 62

Note:

  1. Workpieces tempered according to Scheme I need to maintain high hardness and high wear resistance, and their dimensional changes are almost independent of the quenching state.
  2. Scheme II is used to obtain workpieces with good toughness.

Tempering Temperature and Hardness

Tempering Temp./°CUntempered100200300400500550600650
Hardness HRC636261595759534740

Note: Oil quenched at 1030°C, tempered for two hours.

5. Applications

Cr12MoV steel is suitable for manufacturing a wide variety of tools and dies that are characterized by large cross-sections, complex shapes, and are subjected to significant impact loads. Examples of such applications include:

  • Punching dies with complex geometries
  • General stamping dies
  • Blanking dies for silicon steel sheets
  • Trimming dies
  • Edge rolling/curling dies
  • Wire drawing dies
  • Cold extrusion dies
  • Deep drawing dies for steel plate
  • Thread rolling plates
  • Cold shearing blades
  • Circular saws
  • Standard tools and gauges

Your Premier Source for Cr12MoV Tool Steel

Leverage our 20+ years of expertise. We supply high-quality Cr12MoV tool steel, a versatile cold-work steel known for its excellent toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. Contact our specialists for detailed specifications and a competitive quote.

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