Steel 1.2601
EN 1.2601
1.2601 (X165CrMoV12) is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold-work tool steel with about 1.65 % C and 12 % Cr plus Mo and V, in the D2 / Cr12MoV family but at a higher carbon level.
Values for the Annealed condition
1.2601 tempers and conditions
1.2601 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (spheroidized), ≤255 HB | Standard stock condition for bar/flat/plate — machine and rough-form here, then harden. | 500 | 800 | 12 | 20 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Hardened + deep cryogenic treatment + temper | Adds a −150…−196 °C step to convert retained austenite — better dimensional stability and wear life for precision dies. | 1,850 | 2,000 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Hardened, tempered and gas/plasma nitrided surface (≈1100–1200 HV case) | Use when galling/adhesive wear dominates; thin hard case on a 58–60 HRC core, no re-grinding of the nitrided face. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 59 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Hardened ~960 °C, tempered ~300–350 °C | Pick when some toughness/shock resistance is needed, e.g. thicker shear blades and cold heading dies. | 1,950 | 1 | 57 HRC | — | |
Hardened ~960 °C, tempered ~200–250 °C | General-purpose hardened condition balancing wear resistance and chipping risk for blanking and forming dies. | 2,100 | 0.5 | 59 HRC | — | |
Hardened ~980 °C, tempered ~150–180 °C | Maximum hardness and abrasion resistance; only for rigidly supported, low-shock tooling. | 2,100 | 2,350 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Hardened ~970 °C, tempered ~180–200 °C | High-wear condition for punches, thread rolling dies and paper/wood knives with low impact loading. | 2,250 | 61 HRC | — |
What is 1.2601?
1.2601 (X165CrMoV12) is a high-carbon, high-chromium cold-work tool steel with about 1.65 % C and 12 % Cr plus Mo and V, in the D2 / Cr12MoV family but at a higher carbon level. The large hardened carbide volume fraction gives very high wear resistance, and it is supplied as annealed bar and plate for blanking dies, shear blades, thread-rolling plates and cold-heading tooling. Toughness and transverse properties are low, carbide segregation is pronounced, and machinability and weldability are poor. Use D2 (1.2379) where more toughness is required. 1.2601 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F). 1.2601 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 1.2601 used for?
- Blanking and piercing dies
- Shear and slitter blades
- Thread rolling plates
- Cold heading dies
- Woodworking and paper knives
- Powder compaction tooling
- Cold work punches
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades
1.2601 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2601-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2601 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F).
Mechanical17
1.2601 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2601 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2601 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2601 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability5
1.2601's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.2601 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.2601
Is 1.2601 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and positive rake; hardened parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can 1.2601 be welded?
Essentially unweldable for structural joints — repair welding only with matching high-alloy filler, 400–500 °C preheat, immediate post-weld temper.
Can 1.2601 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and a following soft anneal at 830–860 °C, then harden 950–980 °C (oil/air/vacuum) and temper 150–350 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1.2601. Every 1.2601 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor32 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
1.2601 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 | 1.55 – 1.75 | 1.65 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 11 – 12 | 11.5 |
| Moproducer ranges vary 0.4–0.8 | 0.45 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.2601?
Takes a high polish and is normally left bright and oiled; nitriding, PVD (TiN/TiCN/CrN) or phosphating are used for wear and anti-galling — it is not stainless and must be protected from moisture.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1.2601 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X165CrMoV12
How much does 1.2601 cost?
1.2601 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.2601 — frequently asked
What is 1.2601 used for?
1.2601 is typically used for blanking and piercing dies, shear and slitter blades, thread rolling plates, cold heading dies, woodworking and paper knives and powder compaction tooling. In short: premium die tool steel.
What is the yield strength of 1.2601?
1.2601 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2601 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and positive rake; hardened parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can 1.2601 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Essentially unweldable for structural joints — repair welding only with matching high-alloy filler, 400–500 °C preheat, immediate post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 1.2601?
Takes a high polish and is normally left bright and oiled; nitriding, PVD (TiN/TiCN/CrN) or phosphating are used for wear and anti-galling — it is not stainless and must be protected from moisture.
Can 1.2601 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; forge 1050–900 °C with slow furnace cooling and a following soft anneal at 830–860 °C, then harden 950–980 °C (oil/air/vacuum) and temper 150–350 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2601?
1.2601 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1.2601 cost?
1.2601 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2601?
Yes — 1.2601 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- DIN 17350 — Tool steels (X165CrMoV12, 1.2601) — DIN (1980)
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels — ISO/CEN (2018)
- GB/T 1299 — (Cr12MoV) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (cold-work tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- High-carbon high-chromium cold-work tool steel datasheets (D2 / X165CrMoV12 class) — Böhler / voestalpine & other tool-steel producers (2022)
- Cr12MoV / 1.2601 — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.