1.2714 Steel | 55NiCrMoV7 | L6 Steel | SKT4

1.2714 steel (56NiCrMoV7) is a premium nickel-chromium-molybdenum hot work tool steel renowned for exceptional toughness and through-hardening properties. With approximately 1.50-1.80% nickel content, it delivers uniform hardness even in massive cross-sections—ideal for withstanding repeated mechanical shock and thermal stress. Its outstanding combination of high impact resistance, excellent hardenability, and superior dimensional stability makes it widely preferred for large hot forging dies and heavy-duty tooling applications operating up to 600°C.

Also designated as L6 steel, SKT4 steel and 5CrNiMoV in steel. Ideal for hot forging dies, heavy-duty press tools, and die casting molds. Available annealed for machinability or pre-hardened (38-42 HRC) for immediate use in demanding applications.

Material Shape and Size

We provide 1.2714 steel in multiple forms, covering standard specifications and supporting full customization to meet your diverse needs in mold manufacturing, mechanical processing, and other fields. All products are produced in strict accordance with DIN standards, with precise dimensional tolerance and stable quality for your projects.

1.Round Bar

Flat Bar

1.2714 Equivalent

Standard System	Country/Region	Equivalent Grade	Common Search Terms
DIN EN	Germany	1.2714, 56NiCrMoV7, 55NiCrMoV7	1.2714 tool steel, 56NiCrMoV7 steel, DIN 1.2714, DIN 1.2714 tool steel, 1.2714 material
AISI/ASTM	USA	L6, 6F3	L6 tool steel, ASTM 6F3, L6 equivalent
JIS	Japan	SKT4	SKT4 steel, Japanese equivalent
GB	China	5CrNiMoV	5CrNiMoV steel, Chinese standard 1.2714
BS	UK	BH224/5	BH224/5 tool steel

1.2714 Steel Composition

Element	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Ni	Mo	V
Content (%)	0.50-0.60	0.10-0.40	0.65-0.95	≤0.030	≤0.030	1.00-1.20	1.50-1.80	0.45-0.55	0.07-0.012

Note: The significant nickel content (1.50-1.80%) is the defining characteristic of DIN 1.2714 tool steel, providing superior toughness and uniform hardenability through large sections. Additionally, chromium and molybdenum contribute to high-temperature strength and wear resistance, while vanadium refines the grain structure.

1.2714 Steel Property

For maximum fracture toughness in large hot forging dies, the pre-hardened condition (38-42 HRC) is often preferred. In contrast, for applications requiring higher wear resistance, through-hardening to 52-54 HRC with appropriate tempering is recommended. 1.2714 steel maintains approximately 45 HRC at 650°C, demonstrating excellent thermal stability：

MECHANICAL PROPERTY	METRIC VALUE	IMPERIAL VALUE
Hardness (Annealed)	≤248 HB	≤248 HB
Hardness (1.2714 QT)	38 – 42 HRC	38 – 42 HRC
Tensile Strength	1020 – 2140 MPa	148 – 310 ksi

Note: For maximum fracture toughness in large hot forging dies, the pre-hardened condition (38-42 HRC) is often preferred. In contrast, for applications requiring higher wear resistance, through-hardening to 52-54 HRC with appropriate tempering is recommended. 1.2714 steel maintains approximately 45 HRC at 650°C, demonstrating excellent thermal stability.

Delivery Condition of DIN 1.2714

Black Surface, Bright Surface, Turned Surface, Grinded Surface, Poblished surface.

Application of 1.2714 Material

Hot Forging Industry: Hot forging dies (closed-die and open-die for steel and metal), upset forging dies (bolts, valves, shafts), hot forming tools (punches, heading tools, trimming dies), forging press tools.
Die Casting Industry: Aluminum and zinc die casting molds, die casting tooling components, shot sleeves, and plunger tips for non-ferrous alloys.
Extrusion Industry: Hot extrusion dies for copper and brass alloys, extrusion tooling (mandrels, stems, dummy blocks, containers).
Heavy-Duty Tooling: Hot shear blades, piercers, bushings, and heavy-duty stamping dies for large components.
Plastic Molding: Large injection molds for engineering plastics, compression molds for thermosetting materials, mold bases and support plates.
Aerospace & Automotive: High-stress components, engine parts, crankshafts, and gearbox components requiring high toughness.

Heat Treatment & Processing Guide of Steel 1.2714

Heat Treatment:

Annealing: Temperature 650-700°C, heat slowly, cool slowly in furnace (max 10-20°C per hour to 600°C), then air cool. Resulting hardness ≤248 HB, optimized for machinability.

Hardening (Austenitizing): Preheat at 600-700°C, then heat to 830-870°C for oil quenching or 830-900°C for air quenching. Soak time proportional to section size. Protect against oxidation and decarburization.

Quenching: Oil quench (40-80°C) for most sections; air quench possible for smaller sections. Quench to 50-70°C, then temper immediately. Hardness after quenching: 56-58 HRC.

Processing Guide:

Forging: Heat slowly and uniformly to 1050-1150°C, start forging at 1050-1100°C, finish forging above 850°C. Do not forge below 800°C. After forging, cool slowly in furnace, lime, or insulating media to prevent cracking.
Welding: Preheat to 300-400°C, maintain interpass temperature. Use matching filler metal (e.g., similar composition). Post-weld stress relief at 550-600°C for 2-3 hours, slow cool.
Machining: In annealed condition (≤248 HB), good machinability with carbide tools. For hardened material, grinding is preferred using aluminum oxide or CBN wheels.
Polishing: Can be polished to a good surface finish; avoid overheating during polishing to maintain surface integrity.

Quality Inspection & Control of DIN 1.2714 Tool Steel

Full-process control: Raw material inspection (certificate, composition); production inspection (composition, mechanical properties, 100% UT, dimensional, surface); finished product inspection (MTC EN 10204 3.1, reports).

Our Advantages

Strong Production Capacity: 10,000 tons/year, advanced equipment.
Adequate Stock: 600+ tons standard specs (3-7 days delivery); custom specs 15-30 days.
Custom Processing: One-stop sawing, milling, drilling, polishing, heat treatment.
Strict Quality Control: Full-process inspection, professional team/equipment.
Global Supply: Container/LCL shipment, anti-rust packaging, on-time delivery.
Professional Technical Support: Senior engineers guide material selection, heat treatment, processing.

FAQ of 1.2714 Steel

Q1: Why does 1.2714 steel contain nickel? What role does nickel play?

A: 1.2714 tool steel contains Ni: 1.50‑1.80%. Nickel greatly improves hardenability to ensure uniform hardness even at the core of large‑section dies. It also boosts impact toughness and temper resistance, preventing die cracking under repeated impact loads.

Q2: What is the difference between 1.2714 and 1.2713?

A: Both are nickel‑bearing hot‑work tool steels, while 1.2714 is an upgraded version of 1.2713. Composition difference: DIN 1.2714 contains Cr: 1.00‑1.20%, Mo: 0.45‑0.55%; 1.2713 contains Cr: 0.60‑0.80%, Mo: 0.25‑0.35%. 1.2714 delivers better wear resistance and thermal‑fatigue resistance.

Q3: How does 1.2714 compare with 1.2344 Steel (AISI H13) in performance?

A: Nickel‑alloyed 1.2714 has better toughness and hardenability than 1.2344 steel, suited for heavy‑impact hot‑forging dies with large cross‑sections. Nickel‑free 1.2344 provides higher high‑temperature strength and superior thermal‑fatigue performance for die‑casting and high‑temperature working conditions. They serve different purposes and cannot replace each other.

Q4: What is the hardness of 1.2714 steel after heat treatment?

A: Annealed (as‑delivered) hardness ≤248 HB. After quenching: 58 HRC for oil quenching, 56 HRC for air cooling. Common working hardness after tempering: 40‑46 HRC. Hardness varies with tempering temperature: approx 55 HRC at 200°C, approx 49 HRC at 400°C, approx 42 HRC at 550°C.

Q5: What are the main applications of 1.2714 steel?

A: Developed for hot‑work dies, 1.2714 material is widely used for: hot forging dies (hammer forging dies, press forging dies); die‑casting dies; extrusion tools (mandrels, sleeves, die holders, backup plates); hot‑shear blades and punches; cores and slides for plastic & injection‑molding dies.

Q6: What quenching methods can be used for 1.2714 steel?

A: Developed for hot‑work dies, 1.2714 tool steel is widely used for: hot forging dies (hammer forging dies, press forging dies); die‑casting dies; extrusion tools (mandrels, sleeves, die holders, backup plates); hot‑shear blades and punches; cores and slides for plastic & injection‑molding dies.