Steel Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered
Heat-treated state
GB Cr12
Deep Cryo + Tempered = hardened + deep cryogenic treatment (−150/−196 °C) + double temper
Used for precision gauges and long-run blanking dies: converts retained austenite for extra 1–2 HRC and better dimensional stability.
Values for the Deep Cryo + Tempered condition
Other Cr12 tempers and conditions
Cr12 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Cr12.
- Annealed
- Hot Rolled
- Q&T 55-58 HRC
- Q&T
- Deep Cryo + Tempered
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize/soft annealed, ≤269 HB (as-supplied bar and plate) | Standard delivery condition for machining and die sinking before hardening. | 480 | 820 | 12 | 22 HRC | — |
Hot Rolled / Forged, untreated (as-rolled black bar) | Cheapest raw stock form; hard, carbide-networked and internally stressed — must be spheroidize annealed before machining. | 800 | 1,100 | 5 | 37 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Tempered 350–400 °C for higher toughness | Choose when the tool sees edge chipping or impact and some wear resistance can be traded for toughness. | 1,550 | 1,800 | 2 | 57 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General hardened die condition: maximum wear resistance for blanking and drawing tools with modest impact. | 1,700 | 1,950 | 1 | 61 HRC | — |
Deep Cryo + TemperedThis page Hardened + deep cryogenic treatment (−150/−196 °C) + double temper | Used for precision gauges and long-run blanking dies: converts retained austenite for extra 1–2 HRC and better dimensional stability. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
What is Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered?
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered is Cr12 heat treated to Deep Cryo + Tempered — used for precision gauges and long-run blanking dies: converts retained austenite for extra 1–2 HRC and better dimensional stability. Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered 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). Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Deep Cryo + Tempered 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 — 27/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cr12 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical13
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered 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
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 19 W/m·K (11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (27/100), better than 93% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (4/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered
Is Cr12 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide/TiAlN tooling; abrasive carbides cause fast edge wear, and above ~58 HRC use CBN grinding or EDM.
Can Cr12 be welded?
Essentially not weldable in service; repair welding requires 400–500 °C preheat, matching high-Cr electrode, immediate post-weld temper and slow cooling to avoid quench cracks.
Can Cr12 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1100 °C, stop above 900 °C, cool slowly in furnace then spheroidize anneal 840–870 °C; virtually no cold forming capability.
What surface finishes work on Cr12?
Takes a fine ground/lapped finish but coarse carbides limit true mirror polish; protect with nitriding, hard chrome or PVD TiN/CrN and oil rust-preventive during storage.
Cr12 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 1299 Cr12 | 2 – 2.3 | 2.15 |
| Cr | 11.5 – 13 | 12.2 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Monot intentionally added (unlike Cr12MoV) | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered — frequently asked
What is Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered used for?
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered is typically used for cold blanking and piercing dies, thread-rolling dies, wire and tube drawing dies, shear and slitter blades, cold-forming rolls and punches for thin sheet. In short: cold-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered?
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered 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 5 listed tempers.
Is Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide/TiAlN tooling; abrasive carbides cause fast edge wear, and above ~58 HRC use CBN grinding or EDM.
Can Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (4/100). Essentially not weldable in service; repair welding requires 400–500 °C preheat, matching high-Cr electrode, immediate post-weld temper and slow cooling to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered?
Takes a fine ground/lapped finish but coarse carbides limit true mirror polish; protect with nitriding, hard chrome or PVD TiN/CrN and oil rust-preventive during storage.
Can Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1100 °C, stop above 900 °C, cool slowly in furnace then spheroidize anneal 840–870 °C; virtually no cold forming capability.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered?
Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered?
Yes — Cr12 Deep Cryo + Tempered 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
- GB/T 1299 (Alloy tool steels) — SAC (2014)
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (D3) — ASTM (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- X210Cr12 / 1.2080 cold work tool steel datasheet — Böhler / Voestalpine (2020)
- Cr12/Cr12MoV — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.