L2 1.2210 SKS43 Cold Work Tool Steel
1.2210 Cold Work Tool Steel provides high hardness, wear resistance, and reliable toughness. With good machinability and stability, it is ideal for blanking dies, forming tools, and precision gauges.
- Standard: AISI L2, DIN 1.2210, JIS SKS43
- Technique: EAF + LF + VD or ESR, forged, multi-directional forging ratio ≥4, spheroidized annealed
- Shape: Round, Flat, Plates, Blocks
- Heat treatment: Supplied in annealed condition, hardness ≤255 HBW; pre-hardened to 56–60 HRC (quenched and tempered) available on request
- Surface Treatment: Black (hot-rolled / forged surface), turned, milled / ground, sawn ends
- Tolerance: flat bars & plates thickness: +0.5/-0.0 mm (turned); forged blocks: ±0.2 mm
- MOQ: 1 Ton
We supply DIN 1.2210 in various custom sizes

flat size range
- Thickness: 6-100 mm
- Width: 40-610 mm

block size range
- Thickness: 100-400 mm
- Width: 200-810 mm

round size range
- Diameter: φ10-400 mm
Chemical Composition (%)
Grade | C | Si | Mn | Cr | V | Mo | P (≤) | S (≤) |
1.2210 | 0.45–0.55 | 0.30–0.60 | 0.40–0.70 | 0.90–1.20 | 0.10–0.20 | 0.10–0.30 | 0.030 | 0.030 |
L2 | 0.45–0.55 | 0.20–1.00 | 0.10–0.80 | 0.70–1.20 | 0.10–0.25 | 0.10–0.30 | 0.030 | 0.030 |
SKS43 | 0.60–0.70 | ≤0.35 | 0.80–1.10 | 0.20–0.50 | 0.05–0.15 | — | 0.030 | 0.030 |
Main characteristics of 1.2210 tool steel
- Excellent wear resistance – longer tool and die life
- Good toughness – less risk of and cracking
- High hardness – reliable performance in cold-work applications
- Dimensional stability – ensures accurate dies and gauges
L2 | 1.2210 | SKS43 tool steel applications
1.2210 steel for Cold Heading Die
High toughness and shock resistance allow 1.2210 to withstand repeated heavy impacts in cold heading of fasteners without chipping or premature failure.
1.2210 steel for Shear Blade
Good wear resistance combined with excellent edge stability makes 1.2210 a durable choice for cold shear blades cutting bars and profiles.
1.2210 steel for Heavy-Duty Punches & Pins
Superior compressive strength and fatigue resistance ensure reliable performance in heavy-duty punches and ejector pins under high mechanical stress.
Our Production Technology For L2 / 1.2210 (X115CrV3 / SKS43) Cold Work Tool Steel
- EAF
- LF
- VD
- Forged or Hot Rolled
- Spheroidizing Annealed
- Machined surface / Peeled
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) 100% as per ASTM A388 or SEP 1921 (upon request)
- Micro Cleanliness as per ASTM E45 or DIN 50602
- Spheroidized microstructure as per relevant tool steel standards
- Macrostructure, microstructure, grain size, and mechanical properties shall meet the standards specified in GB/T 1299-2025 for Tool and Die Steels
- Delivery condition: Soft annealed, hardness max. 220–230 HB
mechanical properties & heat treatment of 1.2210 steel
| Heat temperature | Start forging temperature | Finish forging temperature | Cooling method |
| 1050 – 1080 °C | 1050 – 1000 °C | ≥ 850 °C | Pit, sand, or furnace cooling |
Annealing
- Heat slowly to 710 – 850°C (typical: 710–750°C)
- Hold for sufficient time (approx. 2 – 5 hours, depending on section thickness)
- Cool slowly in the furnace at a controlled rate of 10 – 20°C/h down to approximately 600°C
- Then air cool to room temperature
- Hardness after annealing: max. 220 – 223 HB
Hardening
- Preheating (recommended): Preheat slowly to 600 – 650°C to avoid thermal shock
- Austenitizing temperature: 780 – 840°C.Water quenching: typically 780 – 820°C.Oil quenching: typically 800 – 840°C
- Holding time: After temperature equalization, hold for 15 – 30 minutes
- Quenching media:Water (higher cooling rate, for maximum hardness)Oil (preferred for most applications to minimize distortion)For complex shapes, water-oil dual quenching or alkali bath is recommended
- Hardness after quenching: 64 – 66 HRC
Stress relieving
- Perform after rough machining or heavy stock removal to reduce the risk of distortion during final heat treatment
- Heat carefully to approx. 650°C
- Hold at temperature for 1 – 2 hours
- Air cool
- This operation is performed to reduce distortion during heat treatment
Tempering
- Temper immediately after the workpiece cools to hand-warm temperature (approx. 50–70°C). Avoid delaying tempering
- Number of tempers: Minimum 2 times. Double tempering is recommended to ensure complete transformation and property stability
- Holding time: Soak for 1 hour per 20mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours per cycle)
- Cooling method: Air cool after each tempering cycle
- Tempering temperature range: 100 – 400°C (tempering above 400°C is not typical for this grade, as hardness drops significantly)
Why Choose NSPM as Your 1.2210 Tool Steel Supplier
Source Direct
Direct mill cooperation ensures stable supply, competitive pricing, and consistent quality. Global resource integration and strong supply chain management guarantee reliable material sourcing and long-term availability.
Stock Ready
50,000+ tons inventory across 11 warehouses enables fast delivery. Flexible cutting, short lead times, and ready stock support urgent demands and improve customers’ production efficiency.
Expert Team
600+ professionals, including R&D specialists and technical engineers, provide application-driven support. Fast response and deep tooling knowledge ensure accurate solutions for diverse industrial needs.
Fully Inspected
Strict quality control system with full traceability, UT testing, and heat treatment records. Certified standards (ISO, CE) ensure every material meets high-performance and reliability requirements.
Full-Chain Machining
From steel supply to precision machining, heat treatment, and equipment manufacturing, NSPM offers integrated solutions that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and overall tooling performance.