Steel 12Cr1MoV · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel 12Cr1MoV N&T
Properties of the N&T condition, compared with the other 12Cr1MoV tempers.
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.
What is 12Cr1MoV N&T?
12Cr1MoV N&T is 12Cr1MoV heat treated to N&T — 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. 12Cr1MoV N&T 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). 12Cr1MoV N&T 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).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 580°C (1,076 °F), better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 285 MPa (41.3 ksi), worse than 89% of steel grades
12Cr1MoV N&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12Cr1MoV N&T — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 12Cr1MoV temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
12Cr1MoV N&T 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 N&T 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 N&T 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 68% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
12Cr1MoV N&T has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 89% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 12Cr1MoV N&T takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
12Cr1MoV N&T'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.
Other 12Cr1MoV tempers and conditions
12Cr1MoV is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 12Cr1MoV overview.
- N&TDefaultChoose 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 MPa yield · 160 HB
- QTPick 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 MPa yield · 19 HRC
- AOrder 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 MPa yield · 145 HB
Working with 12Cr1MoV N&T
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.
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.
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 | — |
12Cr1MoV N&T — frequently asked
What is 12Cr1MoV N&T used for?
12Cr1MoV N&T 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 N&T?
12Cr1MoV N&T 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 N&T 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 N&T 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 N&T?
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 N&T 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 N&T?
12Cr1MoV N&T 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 12Cr1MoV N&T?
Yes — 12Cr1MoV N&T is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.