Steel 1.2379 Nitrided
Finish state
EN 1.2379 · JIS SKD11
Choose when adhesive wear or galling dominates; thin (0.02–0.1 mm) case at ~1100 HV over a 54–58 HRC core, but case is brittle and cannot be reground away.
Values for the Nitrided condition
Other 1.2379 tempers and conditions
1.2379 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.2379.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed / spheroidized, ≤255 HB | Standard as-delivered condition for bar, plate and precision-ground flat stock; machine here, then harden. | 480 | 800 | 12 | 235 HB | — |
Electro-slag remelted, annealed | Specify for large or highly stressed tools and for polished/mirror-finish work: finer, more uniform carbides give better toughness and less directionality. | 490 | 810 | 14 | 20 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Secondary-hardening temper ~500–525 °C | High-temperature temper used when the tool will be nitrided, PVD-coated or run warm; better dimensional stability, lower toughness than the 300 °C temper. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 1.5 | 55 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
NitridedThis page hardened/tempered core plus plasma or gas nitrided case | Choose when adhesive wear or galling dominates; thin (0.02–0.1 mm) case at ~1100 HV over a 54–58 HRC core, but case is brittle and cannot be reground away. | 1,520 | 1,780 | 1 | 56 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened, tempered ~300–350 °C | Slightly softer, tougher setting for tools with thin sections or heavy shock, where chipping is the main failure mode. | 1,550 | 1,800 | 1.5 | 57 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened, tempered ~200–250 °C | The most common working hardness: best balance of wear resistance and chipping resistance for general cold-work tooling. | — | 1,950 | — | 59 HRC | — |
Hardened ~1020–1040 °C, tempered 180–200 °C | Maximum wear resistance and edge retention for blanking/punching thin, hard sheet; lowest toughness, use generous radii. | — | 2,100 | 0 | 61 HRC | — |
What is 1.2379 Nitrided?
1.2379 Nitrided is 1.2379 supplied in the Nitrided condition — choose when adhesive wear or galling dominates; thin (0.02–0.1 mm) case at ~1100 HV over a 54–58 HRC core, but case is brittle and cannot be reground away. 1.2379 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2379 Nitrided has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,520 MPa (220 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
1.2379 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2379 Nitrided; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.2379 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2379 Nitrided has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical12
1.2379 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
1.2379 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2379 Nitrided conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2379 Nitrided takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
1.2379 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.2379 Nitrided
Is 1.2379 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; the ~12 % carbide volume abrades tooling fast, and hardened tools are finished by grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN.
Can 1.2379 be welded?
Poor weldability — repair only, with 300–450 °C preheat, matched high-alloy filler, small stringer beads and an immediate temper; never weld in service without post-heat.
Can 1.2379 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a forming grade: hot work at 900–1080 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 830–870 °C; harden 1020–1040 °C, air/vacuum quench, then temper at least twice — allow ~0.05–0.1 % growth.
What surface finishes work on 1.2379?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened (ESR grades best); protect with oil, black oxide, hard chrome, nitriding or PVD TiCN/CrN since the alloy stains readily in humid air.
1.2379 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1.45 – 1.6 | 1.53 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 11 – 13 | 11.8 |
| Mo | 0.7 – 1 | 0.8 |
| V | 0.7 – 1 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2379 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is 1.2379 Nitrided used for?
1.2379 Nitrided is typically used for cold blanking and piercing dies, punches and die buttons, shear and slitter blades, thread-rolling dies, cold-forming and coining tooling and trim dies. In short: premium cold-work tool.
What is the yield strength of 1.2379 Nitrided?
1.2379 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2379 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; the ~12 % carbide volume abrades tooling fast, and hardened tools are finished by grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN.
Can 1.2379 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). Poor weldability — repair only, with 300–450 °C preheat, matched high-alloy filler, small stringer beads and an immediate temper; never weld in service without post-heat.
What surface finishes work on 1.2379 Nitrided?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened (ESR grades best); protect with oil, black oxide, hard chrome, nitriding or PVD TiCN/CrN since the alloy stains readily in humid air.
Can 1.2379 Nitrided be formed, bent or molded?
Not a forming grade: hot work at 900–1080 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 830–870 °C; harden 1020–1040 °C, air/vacuum quench, then temper at least twice — allow ~0.05–0.1 % growth.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2379 Nitrided?
1.2379 Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.2379 Annealed and 1.2379-ESR?
Annealed is the default condition — standard as-delivered condition for bar, plate and precision-ground flat stock; machine here, then harden. ESR: specify for large or highly stressed tools and for polished/mirror-finish work: finer, more uniform carbides give better toughness and less directionality. Yield strength is 480 MPa in Annealed versus 490 MPa in ESR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2379 Nitrided?
Yes — 1.2379 Nitrided is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X153CrMoV12) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy tool steels (Type D2) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — Tool and die steels (Cr12Mo1V1) — SAC (2014)
- Sverker 21 cold work tool steel — Uddeholm (2023)
- BÖHLER K110 datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- (SKD11/Cr12Mo1V1) — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.