Steel 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo
Heat-treated state
EN 1.2601
Hardened + Cryo = hardened + deep cryogenic treatment + temper
Adds a −150…−196 °C step to convert retained austenite — better dimensional stability and wear life for precision dies.
Values for the Hardened + Cryo condition
Other 1.2601 tempers and conditions
1.2601 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.2601.
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 + CryoThis page 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 Hardened + Cryo?
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo is 1.2601 heat treated to Hardened + Cryo — adds a −150…−196 °C step to convert retained austenite — better dimensional stability and wear life for precision dies. 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 213 GPa (30.9 Msi). 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Hardened + Cryo is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 99% 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
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 14 MPa·√m (12.7 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of steel grades
- 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
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.2601 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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 Hardened + Cryo has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 213 GPa (30.9 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °F). It conducts heat at 19 W/m·K (11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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 Hardened + Cryo'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 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo
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.
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.
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 | — |
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo — frequently asked
What is 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo used for?
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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 Hardened + Cryo?
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and positive rake; hardened parts require grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). 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 Hardened + Cryo?
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 Hardened + Cryo 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 Hardened + Cryo?
1.2601 Hardened + Cryo is rated for continuous use to about 160°C (320 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo?
Yes — 1.2601 Hardened + Cryo 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.