Steel 1.2601 Nitrided
Finish state
EN 1.2601
Use when galling/adhesive wear dominates; thin hard case on a 58–60 HRC core, no re-grinding of the nitrided face.
Values for the Nitrided 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 + 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 |
NitridedThis page 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 Nitrided?
1.2601 Nitrided is 1.2601 supplied in the Nitrided condition — use when galling/adhesive wear dominates; thin hard case on a 58–60 HRC core, no re-grinding of the nitrided face. 1.2601 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2601 Nitrided 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; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,900 MPa (276 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 35/100, better than 97% 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
- Difficult to machine — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
1.2601 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2601 Nitrided; 20 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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2601 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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 Nitrided conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2601 Nitrided 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 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (2/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.2601 Nitrided
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 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is 1.2601 Nitrided used for?
1.2601 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
1.2601 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2601 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (2/100, 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 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (2/100). 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 Nitrided?
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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
1.2601 Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2601 Nitrided?
Yes — 1.2601 Nitrided 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.