DIN 1.2746 Cold Work Tool Steel manufacturer
1.2746 Cold Work Tool Steel offers ultra-high strength, excellent toughness, and deep hardenability. With good wear resistance and dimensional stability, ideal for heavy-duty cold forming, large dies, and high-stress punches.
- Standard: DIN 1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6)
- Technique: EAF + LF + VD or ESR, forged, multi-directional forging ratio ≥4, stress-relief annealed
- Shape: Round, Flat, Plates, Blocks
- Heat treatment: Supplied in annealed condition, hardness ≤248 HBW; pre-hardened to 42–48 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 1.2746 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: φ10-500 mm
Chemical Composition (%)
Grade | C | Si | Mn | P (≤) | S (≤) | Cr | Mo | V | Ni | (Other Elements, ≤) |
1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6) | 0.40–0.50 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.60–0.80 | 0.030 | 0.030 | 1.30–1.60 | 0.73–0.85 | 0.45–0.55 | 3.80–4.30 | Cu 0.25 |
Main characteristics of 1.2746 tool steel
- Ultra-high strength – withstands extreme forming pressures
- Excellent toughness – resists fracture under heavy impact
- Deep hardenability – maintains uniform properties in large sections
- Good wear resistance – extends tool life in abrasive conditions
1.2746 tool steel applications
1.2746 steel for Heavy-Duty Cold Shear Blade
Exceptional impact toughness and high compressive strength enable 1.2746 to withstand severe shock loads during cold shearing of thick scrap metal and oversized billets, significantly reducing edge chipping and blade replacement frequency.
1.2746 steel for Precision Cold Extrusion Punch
High hardness (up to 64 HRC) combined with outstanding dimensional stability ensures long service life and repeatable precision in cold extrusion of automotive components and electronic connectors, where tool failure under cyclic pressure is a major concern
1.2746 steel for Hot Forging Die Insert
Excellent temper resistance and thermal fatigue stability up to 400 °C allow 1.2746 to maintain hardness and resist heat-check cracking in hot forging of nonferrous metals and warm stamping operations, bridging the gap between cold work and hot work tool steels
Our Production Technology For 1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6) Cold Work Tool Steel
- EAF
- LF
- VD
- Airmelted / ESR
- Forged or Hot Rolled
- Spheroidizing Annealed
- Machined surface / Peeled
- 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 max. 295 HB
mechanical properties & heat treatment of 1.2746 steel
| Heat temperature | Start forging temperature | Finish forging temperature | Cooling method |
| 1100 – 1150 °C | 1100 – 1050 °C | ≥ 900 °C | Pit, sand, or furnace cooling |
Annealing
- Heat slowly and uniformly to 610 – 850°C (610–650°C per BÖHLER specification)
- Hold at temperature for 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. 295 HB
- Annealing in a protective atmosphere is recommended to reduce decarburization and surface scaling
Hardening
- 1.2746 (45NiCrMoV16-6) is a cold work tool steel that can be hardened in both oil and air, providing flexibility for distortion control. The steel exhibits excellent through-hardenability and can be quenched in air to minimize distortion. Temper immediately after quenching to avoid cracking.
- Pre-heating (recommended):Pre-heat slowly to 640 – 660°C, hold for sufficient time, then raise to the austenitizing temperatureAlternatively, pre-heat at approximately 600–650°C for complex shapes to reduce thermal shock
- Austenitizing temperature: 880 – 910°C (840–870°C per some sources)
- Holding time: After temperature equalization, hold for 30 minutes per 25mm of section thickness
- Quenching media:Oil (preferred for most sections) — quench immediately after holdingAir (still air or pressurized gas) — for minimizing distortion, particularly suitable for smaller sectionsWarm bath at 180 – 220°C (martempering) — as an alternative hardening procedure for complex shapes requiring minimum distortionPolymer quench — also suitable
- Hardness after quenching: approx. 56 – 57 HRC
Stress relieving
- Perform after rough machining or heavy stock removal, especially for tools with complex shapes or unbalanced cross-sections, to reduce the risk of distortion during final heat treatment
- Heat carefully to approx. 650°C (600–650°C per some sources)
- Hold at temperature for 1 – 2 hours (or minimum 4 hours for larger sections)
- Cool slowly in the furnace, or after holding, air cool
- This operation is performed to relieve stresses set up by extensive machining and to reduce distortion during heat treatment
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 recommended to improve toughness and ensure complete transformation of retained austenite. After each tempering cycle, air cool to room temperature before the next tempering
- Holding time: Soak for at least 1 hour per 20mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours per cycle)
- Cooling method: Air cool after each tempering cycle
Why Choose NSPM as Your 1.2746 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.
