Steel 12Cr1MoV
GB 12Cr1MoV
12Cr1MoV is a Cr-Mo-V creep-resistant alloy steel (GB power-plant grade, close to ASTM A213 T12) used for superheater tubes and high-pressure, high-temperature piping.
Values for the N&T condition
12Cr1MoV tempers and conditions
12Cr1MoV is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. N&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Order the roughly 900 °C slow-cooled annealed bar or forging at 145 HB for rough machining and cold forming, then normalize and temper before service. | 245 | 470 | 27 | 145 HB | 8 % IACS |
N&TDefault Normalized and tempered | Choose the roughly 970 °C normalize plus 730–750 °C temper for boiler tubes, main steam lines and high-temperature bolts; 285 MPa yield with rupture strength and toughness balanced to 580 °C. | 285 | 520 | 24 | 160 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Take as-rolled bar or plate as the lowest-cost blank at 310 MPa yield and 170 HB when the part will be normalized, tempered or quenched after machining. | 310 | 550 | 21 | 170 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Normalized | Use the 960–990 °C air-cooled normalized-only state as an intermediate stage: 410 MPa yield and 190 HB, but high hardness and residual stress make a following temper necessary. | 410 | 620 | 20 | 190 HB | 7.7 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose cold-drawn, stress-relieved seamless tube or bright bar for tight tolerance and 500 MPa yield; elongation drops to 13%, and a final normalize and temper is needed for high-temperature use. | 500 | 640 | 13 | 195 HB | 7.7 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Pick oil quenching plus a 680–720 °C temper for high-temperature bolts and turbine fasteners needing 560 MPa yield and 215 HB; elongation falls to 18% and service is limited to 550 °C. | 560 | 720 | 18 | 19 HRC | — |
What is 12Cr1MoV?
12Cr1MoV is a Cr-Mo-V creep-resistant alloy steel (GB power-plant grade, close to ASTM A213 T12) used for superheater tubes and high-pressure, high-temperature piping. It is supplied as seamless tube and pipe, plate and bar, normally normalized and tempered: 285 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation, 160 HB and service to 580 °C. Weldability is restricted (score 55) and requires preheat plus post-weld tempering, and the grade has no corrosion resistance, so coating or aluminizing is normal. Where temperatures stay below about 500 °C, 15CrMo or A204 plate is sufficient. 12Cr1MoV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). 12Cr1MoV has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).
What is 12Cr1MoV used for?
- Superheater and reheater tubes
- High-pressure steam piping
- Hot petrochemical piping
- Hydrocracker unit components
- Boiler headers and manifolds
- High-temperature flanges and fittings
- Hot-service pressure bolting
Advantages
- High service temperature — 580°C (1,076 °F), better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 285 MPa (41.3 ksi), worse than 89% of steel grades
12Cr1MoV properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12Cr1MoV-N&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
12Cr1MoV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
12Cr1MoV has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).
Thermal6
12Cr1MoV is rated for continuous service to 580°C (1,076 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
12Cr1MoV has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 12Cr1MoV takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
12Cr1MoV's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. 12Cr1MoV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 12Cr1MoV
Is 12Cr1MoV easy to machine?
In the normalized-and-tempered condition it machines normally with carbide tooling at about 55 % of the 1212 rate: low to moderate speeds, heavier feeds and generous coolant. Tool wear rises sharply in the quenched-and-tempered condition.
Can 12Cr1MoV be welded?
Weldable but classed as restricted-weldability steel: use Cr-Mo-V consumables of the R31 / R317 type for TIG or SMAW, preheat 250–300 °C, hold interpass temperature at or above preheat, and temper at 720–750 °C after welding for hydrogen removal and stress relief.
Can 12Cr1MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form (tube bending, forging) between 1150 °C and 850 °C and always re-normalize and temper afterwards. Keep cold bend radii large and stress-relieve after cold deformation.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 12Cr1MoV. Every 12Cr1MoV part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 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 |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better55 / 100 |
12Cr1MoV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 5310 / GB/T 3077 | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Si | 0.17 – 0.37 | 0.27 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Mo | 0.25 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| VVC precipitation strengthening; raises creep-rupture strength | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| P≤ 0.025 for tube (grade G) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S≤ 0.010 for tube (grade G) | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Niresidual element | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual element | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 12Cr1MoV?
Anodizing does not apply. Piping is normally blasted and then coated with high-temperature protective paint or aluminized; fasteners can be phosphated or zinc plated, with a 200 °C bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
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 12Cr1MoV in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- A213 T12
How much does 12Cr1MoV cost?
12Cr1MoV is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
12Cr1MoV — frequently asked
What is 12Cr1MoV used for?
12Cr1MoV is typically used for superheater and reheater tubes, high-pressure steam piping, hot petrochemical piping, hydrocracker unit components, boiler headers and manifolds and high-temperature flanges and fittings. In short: heat-resistant alloy pipe.
What is the yield strength of 12Cr1MoV?
12Cr1MoV has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 12Cr1MoV easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). In the normalized-and-tempered condition it machines normally with carbide tooling at about 55 % of the 1212 rate: low to moderate speeds, heavier feeds and generous coolant. Tool wear rises sharply in the quenched-and-tempered condition.
Can 12Cr1MoV be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable but classed as restricted-weldability steel: use Cr-Mo-V consumables of the R31 / R317 type for TIG or SMAW, preheat 250–300 °C, hold interpass temperature at or above preheat, and temper at 720–750 °C after welding for hydrogen removal and stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 12Cr1MoV?
Anodizing does not apply. Piping is normally blasted and then coated with high-temperature protective paint or aluminized; fasteners can be phosphated or zinc plated, with a 200 °C bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
Can 12Cr1MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form (tube bending, forging) between 1150 °C and 850 °C and always re-normalize and temper afterwards. Keep cold bend radii large and stress-relieve after cold deformation.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12Cr1MoV?
12Cr1MoV is rated for continuous use to about 580°C (1,076 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 12Cr1MoV N&T and 12Cr1MoV-QT?
N&T is the default condition — choose the roughly 970 °C normalize plus 730–750 °C temper for boiler tubes, main steam lines and high-temperature bolts; 285 MPa yield with rupture strength and toughness balanced to 580 °C. QT: pick oil quenching plus a 680–720 °C temper for high-temperature bolts and turbine fasteners needing 560 MPa yield and 215 HB; elongation falls to 18% and service is limited to 550 °C. Yield strength is 285 MPa in N&T versus 560 MPa in QT.
How much does 12Cr1MoV cost?
12Cr1MoV is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 12Cr1MoV?
Yes — 12Cr1MoV is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Cr-Mo steels) — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
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.