Steel 12CrMo4
EN 12CrMo4
12CrMo4 (1.7201) is a low-carbon chromium-molybdenum creep-resistant steel for pressure equipment; normalized, it gives about 340 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and 150 HB, with service to about 530 °C.
Reference datasheet — 12CrMo4 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +N condition
12CrMo4 tempers and conditions
12CrMo4 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. +N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest condition — pick for cold heading, deep drilling, thread rolling or heavy cold forming before quench-and-temper. | 280 | 460 | 28 | 145 HB | — |
Annealed | General mill-annealed bar/plate condition for machining and subsequent heat treatment. | 300 | 480 | 27 | 150 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Treated to ferrite-pearlite structure with specified hardness range | Choose when a defined ferrite–pearlite microstructure and hardness band is needed for consistent machining and surface finish before final heat treatment. | 330 | 500 | 24 | 160 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Preferred for thick-wall pressure parts and weldments where residual stress and hardness must be controlled before service. | 330 | 490 | 25 | 148 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard supply condition for boiler tube, plate and forgings; balanced strength and toughness for code pressure service. | 340 | 500 | 24 | 150 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining; properties are section- and cooling-rate dependent. | 340 | 520 | 22 | 165 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use for bolting, flanges and shafts needing higher yield strength with retained toughness at moderate temperature. | 480 | 650 | 19 | 15 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar for close tolerance and better surface finish; higher strength but lower ductility and residual stress present. | 520 | 620 | 12 | 195 HB | 7.7 % IACS |
Supplied with specified hardenability (Jominy band), hardened response | Order this when the part will be hardened after machining and a guaranteed Jominy hardenability band / as-hardened hardness is required. | 540 | 720 | 17 | 20 HRC | — |
What is 12CrMo4?
12CrMo4 (1.7201) is a low-carbon chromium-molybdenum creep-resistant steel for pressure equipment; normalized, it gives about 340 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and 150 HB, with service to about 530 °C. Engineers select it for boiler and piping components because the low carbon keeps it readily weldable (weldability score 70) while Cr-Mo provides moderate elevated-temperature strength; typical forms are seamless tube, forged flanges and fittings, plate and bar. It is not stainless and needs coating for ambient corrosion protection; 13CrMo4-5 is the nearest alternative when higher creep strength is required. 12CrMo4 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). 12CrMo4 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 12CrMo4 used for?
- Pressure vessel parts
- Boiler components
- Pipe fittings
- Flanges
Advantages
- High service temperature — 530°C (986 °F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 340 MPa (49.3 ksi), worse than 76% of steel grades
12CrMo4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12CrMo4-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
12CrMo4 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
12CrMo4 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
12CrMo4 is rated for continuous service to 530°C (986 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
12CrMo4 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 12CrMo4 takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
12CrMo4's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 12CrMo4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 12CrMo4
Is 12CrMo4 easy to machine?
Machines like a 60 %-of-1212 alloy steel; best in +AC/+FP condition with carbide tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can 12CrMo4 be welded?
Readily weldable with matching low-alloy (E8018-B2 / ER80S-B2) consumables; preheat 150–250 °C and PWHT 660–700 °C to control hardness and hydrogen cracking.
Can 12CrMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 950–1150 °C; cold bending possible in annealed condition with generous radii, followed by stress relief.
12CrMo4 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 | 0.08 – 0.18 | 0.13 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 0.7 – 1.15 | 0.95 |
| Mo | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 12CrMo4?
Not stainless — protect with paint, zinc or aluminized coating for ambient service; can be nitrided or hard-chrome plated (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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 12CrMo4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.7201
- Similar grades
- 12CrMo
How much does 12CrMo4 cost?
12CrMo4 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
12CrMo4 — frequently asked
What is 12CrMo4 used for?
12CrMo4 is typically used for pressure vessel parts, boiler components, pipe fittings and flanges. In short: weldable creep-resistant steel; 530 °C service ceiling; low-carbon Cr-Mo grade.
What is the yield strength of 12CrMo4?
12CrMo4 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 12CrMo4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a 60 %-of-1212 alloy steel; best in +AC/+FP condition with carbide tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can 12CrMo4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily weldable with matching low-alloy (E8018-B2 / ER80S-B2) consumables; preheat 150–250 °C and PWHT 660–700 °C to control hardness and hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on 12CrMo4?
Not stainless — protect with paint, zinc or aluminized coating for ambient service; can be nitrided or hard-chrome plated (bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement).
Can 12CrMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 950–1150 °C; cold bending possible in annealed condition with generous radii, followed by stress relief.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12CrMo4?
12CrMo4 is rated for continuous use to about 530°C (986 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 12CrMo4 cost?
12CrMo4 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10216-2 Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes — alloy steels with elevated temperature properties — CEN (2020)
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10084 Case hardening steels — delivery conditions (+A, +AC, +FP, +H, +S) — CEN (2008)
- EN 10028-2 Flat products for pressure purposes — steels with elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, machining data for Cr-Mo alloy steels — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 3077 (12CrMo ) — SAC (2015)
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.