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DIN 1.2601 Cold Work Tool Steel manufacturer

1.2601 Cold Work Tool Steel offers high wear resistance, good compressive strength, and excellent hardenability. With moderate toughness and dimensional stability, ideal for cold forming, blanking, and drawing dies.

Standard: DIN 1.2601, GB Cr12MoV
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 58–62 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 1.2601 in various custom sizes

Chemical Composition (%)

Grade (牌号)

C

Si

Mn

P (≤)

S (≤)

Cr

Mo

V

Cr12MoV

1.45–1.70

≤0.40

≤0.40

0.030

0.030

11.00–12.50

0.40–0.60

0.15–0.30

1.2601

(X165CrMoV12)

1.55–1.75

0.25–0.40

0.20–0.40

0.030

0.030

11.00–12.00

0.50–0.70

0.10–0.50

Main characteristics of 1.2601 tool steel

1.2601 tool steel applications

1.2601 steel for Cold Blanking & Punching Die

High carbon and chromium provide exceptional wear resistance, maintaining sharp edges in blanking and punching of medium-gauge to thick sheets over long runs

1.2601 steel for Cold Drawing Die

Good anti-galling properties and adequate toughness make it reliable for deep drawing of steel shells and components, reducing scoring and pick-up

1.2601 steel for Cold Extrusion Die

Balanced hardness and compressive strength allow it to withstand high radial stress in cold extrusion of simple to moderately complex parts

Our Production Technology For Cr12MoV (1.2601 / X165CrMoV12 / SKD11) Cold Work Tool Steel

Ultrasonic testing (UT) 100% as per SEP 1921, ASTM A388, or EN 10228-3 (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 for Tool and Die Steels
Delivery condition: Soft annealed, hardness 207–255 HBW

mechanical properties & heat treatment of 1.2601 steel

Heat temperature	Start forging temperature	Finish forging temperature	Cooling method
1100 – 1150 °C	1050 – 1100 °C	≥ 900 °C	Pit, sand, or furnace cooling

Annealing

Heating temperature: 800 – 870°C (typical 850–870°C)
Holding time: 2 – 4 hours
Cool to 720 – 750°C and hold isothermally for 3 – 6 hours
Furnace cool at ≤30°C/h to below 500°C
Then air cool to room temperature
Hardness after annealing: 207 – 255 HB
Microstructure: fine spheroidized pearlite + carbides

Hardening

Cr12MoV (1.2601) is a high-carbon, high-chromium ledeburitic cold work tool steel. It has a wide austenitizing window (approx. 950–1100°C). Depending on hardness and red hardness requirements, either low-temperature hardening + low-temperature tempering (“low-low”) or high-temperature hardening + high-temperature tempering (“high-high”) can be used. The steel can be fully hardened in sections up to 300–400 mm.
Preheating (recommended): Slowly preheat to 600 – 650°C, then to 800 – 850°C to reduce thermal stress
Austenitizing temperature:
Low-low (primary hardening) : 950 – 1040°C.
Typical range: 980 – 1010°C (oil or air quench).
High-high (secondary hardening) : 1050 – 1100°C.
Holding time: After temperature equalization, hold for 0.5 – 1.5 min/mm (15–30 min for small sections)
Quenching media: Oil (preferred – for sections up to ~400 mm), air, or salt bath (500–550°C)
Hardness after quenching: 60 – 65 HRC

Stress relieving

Tempering

Temper immediately after the workpiece cools to hand-warm temperature (approx. 50–70°C). Delayed tempering may cause cracking
Number of tempers: Minimum 2 times. Double tempering is mandatory for the high-high process to ensure complete austenite transformation
Holding time: 1 hour per 20mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours)
Cooling method: Air cool after each tempering cycle
Tempering process selection:
Low-low (primary hardening) : 150 – 250°C. Highest hardness and wear resistance, good impact toughness. Typical: 180–200°C / 2 times → 60–62 HRC.
High-high (secondary hardening) : 500 – 530°C. Slightly lower hardness but significantly improved red hardness; suitable for dies working at ~400°C or as substrate for PVD coatings. Typical: 510–530°C / 2 times → 58–62 HRC.
Intermediate tempering (~400°C): gives 54 – 58 HRC with higher toughness

Why Choose NSPM as Your 1.2601 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.