Steel 3Cr2W8V
GB 3Cr2W8V · AISI/SAE H21
3Cr2W8V is a tungsten-alloyed chromium hot-work tool steel equivalent to AISI H21, relying on W-Cr-V carbides to resist softening at forging temperatures.
Reference datasheet — 3Cr2W8V 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 A condition
3Cr2W8V tempers and conditions
3Cr2W8V is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard mill-supply condition for machining die cavities before hardening. | 460 | 760 | 18 | 20 HRC | — |
ESR (electroslag remelted) quality, annealed | Premium cleanliness and reduced carbide banding for large forging dies and long-life extrusion tooling. | 470 | 770 | 20 | 20 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Hot rolled | As-rolled or as-forged black bar for re-forging or for shops doing their own anneal; hardness varies with cooling rate. | 720 | 1,000 | 10 | 31 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered to 40–45 HRC | Toughness-biased setting for large hot-forging dies and hot shear blades where cracking risk dominates. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 10 | 43 HRC | — |
Q&T then gas/ion nitrided surface | Choose for extrusion dies and hot-work inserts needing a 900–1100 HV wear/erosion skin over a 45 HRC core. | 1,300 | 1,550 | 6 | 47 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered to 45–48 HRC | Most common working hardness for hot-extrusion tooling and copper/brass die-casting inserts. | 1,330 | 1,550 | 8 | 47 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered to 48–52 HRC | Maximum wear/erosion resistance for small punches and mandrels; accept very low impact toughness. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 6 | 50 HRC | — |
What is 3Cr2W8V?
3Cr2W8V is a tungsten-alloyed chromium hot-work tool steel equivalent to AISI H21, relying on W-Cr-V carbides to resist softening at forging temperatures. It is supplied as bar, block and forged discs, annealed (229 HB, 760 MPa tensile, 460 MPa yield, 18 % elongation) or quenched and tempered to 40-52 HRC, with nitrided and ESR options, for forging, extrusion and die-casting tooling. Limits are low thermal conductivity, moderate toughness, a listed maximum service temperature of 400 C and machinability around 40; cold formability is essentially nil. Where thermal-fatigue cracking governs die life, H13-type 8407 is the usual alternative. 3Cr2W8V has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 3Cr2W8V has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 3Cr2W8V used for?
- Hot forging dies
- Die-casting dies
- Hot extrusion tools
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 92% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
3Cr2W8V properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Cr2W8V-A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
3Cr2W8V has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
3Cr2W8V has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
3Cr2W8V is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3Cr2W8V conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, worse than 91% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3Cr2W8V takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
3Cr2W8V's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. 3Cr2W8V is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 3Cr2W8V
Is 3Cr2W8V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition (≈45 % of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after hardening use grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN tools, and always stress-relieve rough-machined cavities before quenching.
Can 3Cr2W8V be welded?
Repair welding only: preheat and hold at 350–450 °C, use matched W-type hot-work filler, weld with low heat input and temper immediately at 30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
Can 3Cr2W8V be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge between 1100 and 850 °C with slow, uniform heating and mandatory slow furnace cooling plus annealing; the steel has essentially no cold formability.
3Cr2W8V 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 | 0.3 – 0.4 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 2.2 – 2.7 | 2.45 |
| Wprimary hot-strength element | 7.5 – 9 | 8.25 |
| V | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 3Cr2W8V?
Harden 1075-1130 C (oil or salt/gas quench) and double temper at 560-620 C; then nitride, black-oxide or apply PVD CrN/TiAlN for die-soldering and erosion resistance. Not anodizable; oil or VCI protect in storage.
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 3Cr2W8V in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- H21
How much does 3Cr2W8V cost?
3Cr2W8V is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
3Cr2W8V — frequently asked
What is 3Cr2W8V used for?
3Cr2W8V is typically used for hot forging dies, die-casting dies and hot extrusion tools. In short: tungsten-type hot-work steel; hardness retention at heat; brass die-casting tooling grade.
What is the yield strength of 3Cr2W8V?
3Cr2W8V has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 3Cr2W8V easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition (≈45 % of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after hardening use grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN tools, and always stress-relieve rough-machined cavities before quenching.
Can 3Cr2W8V be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Repair welding only: preheat and hold at 350–450 °C, use matched W-type hot-work filler, weld with low heat input and temper immediately at 30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 3Cr2W8V?
Harden 1075-1130 C (oil or salt/gas quench) and double temper at 560-620 C; then nitride, black-oxide or apply PVD CrN/TiAlN for die-soldering and erosion resistance. Not anodizable; oil or VCI protect in storage.
Can 3Cr2W8V be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge between 1100 and 850 °C with slow, uniform heating and mandatory slow furnace cooling plus annealing; the steel has essentially no cold formability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3Cr2W8V?
3Cr2W8V is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 3Cr2W8V-A and 3Cr2W8V-HR?
A is the default condition — standard mill-supply condition for machining die cavities before hardening. HR: as-rolled or as-forged black bar for re-forging or for shops doing their own anneal; hardness varies with cooling rate. Yield strength is 460 MPa in A versus 720 MPa in HR.
How much does 3Cr2W8V cost?
3Cr2W8V is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- GB/T 1299 (Alloy tool steels) — SAC / (2014)
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (H21) — ASTM (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Hot-Work Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- / (3Cr2W8V heat treatment and mechanical data) (2011)
- 1.2581 / X30WCrV9-3 hot-work tool steel datasheet — European tool steel producers (e.g. Böhler/Buderus class data) (2020)
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.