Cr12MoV | SKD11 - High-Carbon Cold Work Tool Steel

Cr12MoV is a premium high-carbon high-chromium cold work die steel, enhanced with molybdenum and vanadium. It is an improved version of traditional Cr12, featuring 1.45–1.70% carbon, 11.00–12.50% chromium, plus 0.40–0.60% molybdenum and 0.15–0.30% vanadium.

These alloying additions provide a unique balance of high wear resistance, good toughness, and superior hardenability. Compared to Cr12, Cr12MoV material offers better impact toughness, less heat treatment distortion, and improved dimensional stability.

Cr12MoV equivalent: AISI D2, DIN 1.2379 (X153CrMoV12), JIS SKD11 and BD2—making it one of the most widely used cold work tool steels worldwide.

Ideal for cold stamping dies, forming rolls, shear blades, and long-life punches. Supplied annealed (≤255 HB) for maximum machinability or pre-hardened for specific applications.

Supply Shape of Cr12MoV

1.Round Bar

Flat Bar ＆ Round Bar

Cr12MoV Equivalent

Standard System	Country/Region	Equivalent Grade	Common Search Terms
DIN EN	Germany	1.2379, X153CrMoV12	1.2379 steel, DIN 1.2379, X153CrMoV12
AISI/ASTM	USA	D2, T30402	D2 tool steel, AISI D2, D2 steel equivalent
JIS	Japan	SKD11, SKD11 modified	SKD11 steel, JIS SKD11, SKD11 equivalent
GB	China	Cr12MoV	Cr12MoV material, Cr12MoV steel, Cr12MoV tool steel
BS	UK	BD2	BD2 tool steel
ISO	International	160CrMoV12	ISO Cr12MoV equivalent

Cr12MoV Steel Composition

Element	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Mo	V
Content (%)	1.45-1.70	≤0.40	≤0.40	≤0.030	≤0.020	11.00-12.50	0.40-0.60	0.15-0.30

Cr12MoV steel contains molybdenum (0.40-0.60%) and vanadium (0.15-0.30%), which refine grain structure, improve toughness, and enhance secondary hardening during tempering . The balanced chromium content provides excellent wear resistance through hard chromium carbides.

Cr12MoV Properties

Mechanical Property	METRIC VALUE	IMPERIAL VALUE
Hardness (Annealed)	207 – 255 HB	207 – 255 HB
Hardness (Quenched & Tempered)	≥58 HRC	≥58 HRC
Impact Toughness (KV, 20°C, Longitudinal)	15 – 30 J	11 – 22 ft·lb
Transverse Rupture Strength (σbb)	≥2150 MPa	≥312 ksi
Deflection (f)	≥2.5 mm	≥0.098 in

Cr12MoV material achieves optimal properties after quenching from 980-1040°C and tempering at 180-220°C (58-62 HRC). For higher toughness, temper at 500-550°C (57-60 HRC).

Delivery Condition of Cr12MoV Material

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

Cr12MoV Application

Cold Stamping and Forming: Progressive dies, blanking dies, piercing dies, forming rolls, bending tools for sheet metal up to 6mm thickness
Cutting and Shearing Tools: Cold shear blades, circular knives, slitter knives, trimming dies, scrap choppers for metal and plastic
Cold Extrusion and Drawing: Cold extrusion dies, cold heading dies, wire drawing dies, tube drawing dies, deep drawing tools
Thread Rolling and Forming: Thread rolling dies, thread forming tools,搓丝板 (thread rolling plates) for high-volume fastener production
Powder Compaction: Pressing tools for powder metallurgy, carbide dies, ceramic compaction tools, pharmaceutical tablet tooling
Plastic Molding: Long-life plastic injection molds for glass-filled or abrasive engineering plastics, compression molds
Measuring and Gauging Tools: Gauges, measuring tools, drill bushes, jigs and fixtures requiring wear resistance
Silicon Steel Sheet Stamping: Punches and dies for silicon steel laminations (motor cores, transformers)
Cold Rolling Rolls: Work rolls for cold rolling of thin strip, leveling rolls, flattening rolls
Woodworking Tools: Knives, cutters, and blades for abrasive wood-based materials (MDF, particle board)

Cr12MoV Heat Treatment & Processing

Heat Treatment:

Soft Annealing: Heat to 820-850°C, hold 2-4 hours, furnace cool at 10-20°C per hour to 600°C, then air cool. Resulting hardness ≤255 HB, optimized for machinability
Isothermal Annealing: Heat to 780-800°C, hold, cool to 680-720°C, hold 4-6 hours, then furnace cool. Hardness ≤241 HB
Stress Relieving: Heat to 600-650°C, hold 4-6 hours, furnace cool. Relieves machining stresses before hardening
Preheating: Two stages: 350-450°C and 650-750°C. Preheating minimizes thermal shock during austenitizing
Hardening (Austenitizing): Temperature 980-1040°C (typical 1020°C for high hardness, 980°C for higher toughness). Soak time proportional to section size. Protect against oxidation and decarburization
Quenching: Oil quench (40-60°C) for most sections; air quench possible for smaller sections; vacuum quenching with high-pressure gas. Quench to 50-70°C, then temper immediately. Hardness after quenching: 60-64 HRC
Tempering: Temper immediately after quenching while tool is still warm. Double tempering strongly recommended to eliminate retained austenite and ensure dimensional stability. Hold minimum 2 hours each temper, cool to room temperature between tempers.

Processing Guide:

Cryogenic Treatment: For maximum dimensional stability and retained austenite transformation, cool to -80°C immediately after quenching, then temper normally. This is beneficial for precision tools and gauges
Nitriding: Gas or plasma nitriding possible, surface hardness 900-1100 HV, case depth 0.05-0.20mm. Enhances wear resistance for specialized applications
Forging: Hot forming temperature 1050-850°C. Slow cool after forging to prevent cracking

Quality Control of Cr12MoV 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.