Steel CrWMn
GB CrWMn
CrWMn is a chromium–tungsten–manganese oil-hardening cold-work tool steel cross-referenced to AISI O1, specified where dimensional change during hardening must be minimal.
Reference datasheet — CrWMn 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
CrWMn tempers and conditions
CrWMn is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked condition (≤255 HB) for machining tools before hardening. | 480 | 750 | 18 | 229 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Intermediate treatment on roughed-out precision tools to minimise movement during subsequent hardening. | 490 | 760 | 17 | 20 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Mill as-rolled or as-forged bar before spheroidizing; hard and unmachinable, normally annealed before use. | 600 | 950 | 10 | 31 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Q&T 50–52 HRC | Maximum-toughness setting for heavy sections, mandrels and tool bodies; wear resistance drops noticeably. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 7 | 51 HRC | — |
Q&T 54–56 HRC | Tougher setting for larger dies and shock-loaded tooling where chipping is the failure mode. | 1,650 | 1,900 | 5 | 55 HRC | — |
Q&T 57–59 HRC | Balanced hardness/toughness for shear blades, cold forming punches and tools seeing moderate impact. | 1,800 | 2,050 | 3 | 58 HRC | — |
Q&T 60–62 HRC | Most common working hardness: good wear resistance with slightly improved toughness for taps, broaches and blanking dies. | 1,950 | 2,250 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | — |
Hardened + deep cryogenic (-70…-196 °C) + double temper, ~62 HRC | Choose for gauges and precision tools where retained austenite must be eliminated for long-term dimensional stability. | 1,950 | 2,350 | 1 | 62 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Q&T 62–64 HRC | Maximum hardness and wear resistance for gauges, reamers and fine blanking punches in light-shock service. | 2,050 | 2,400 | 1 | 63 HRC | — |
What is CrWMn?
CrWMn is a chromium–tungsten–manganese oil-hardening cold-work tool steel cross-referenced to AISI O1, specified where dimensional change during hardening must be minimal. Annealed bar and flat stock run about 480 MPa yield, 750 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 229 HB, and are hardened into bands from 50–52 up to 62–64 HRC, with a deep-cryogenic (DCT) option for size stability in gauges. Tempering resistance is limited to roughly 200 °C service, corrosion resistance is nil and machinability is 48, so it is not a substitute for D2 in high-abrasion, long-run dies. CrWMn has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). CrWMn has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is CrWMn used for?
- gauges
- precision dies
- broaches
- thread tools
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
CrWMn properties
Typical room-temperature values for CrWMn-A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
CrWMn has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
CrWMn has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
CrWMn is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CrWMn conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CrWMn takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
CrWMn's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. CrWMn is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CrWMn
Is CrWMn easy to machine?
Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (≈45 % of B1112) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above 55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can CrWMn be welded?
Essentially non-weldable for structural joints; repair only with matching/Cr-alloy filler at 300–400 °C preheat followed by immediate re-temper.
Can CrWMn be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–850 °C with slow furnace cooling and mandatory spheroidize anneal at 770–790 °C; cold forming is limited to light bending of annealed thin stock.
CrWMn 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 CrWMn | 0.9 – 1.05 | 0.97 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mnraises hardenability, low distortion | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Wforms fine carbides for wear resistance | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CrWMn?
Takes a mirror polish when hardened; protect with black oxide, phosphate, oil or thin hard chrome — nitriding at ≤180 °C-safe processes only, since higher temperatures over-temper the tool.
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 CrWMn in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- O1
How much does CrWMn cost?
CrWMn 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.
CrWMn — frequently asked
What is CrWMn used for?
CrWMn is typically used for gauges, precision dies, broaches and thread tools. In short: low-distortion oil-hardening grade; direct O1 counterpart; mirror-polishable when hardened.
What is the yield strength of CrWMn?
CrWMn has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is CrWMn easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (≈45 % of B1112) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above 55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can CrWMn be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially non-weldable for structural joints; repair only with matching/Cr-alloy filler at 300–400 °C preheat followed by immediate re-temper.
What surface finishes work on CrWMn?
Takes a mirror polish when hardened; protect with black oxide, phosphate, oil or thin hard chrome — nitriding at ≤180 °C-safe processes only, since higher temperatures over-temper the tool.
Can CrWMn be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–850 °C with slow furnace cooling and mandatory spheroidize anneal at 770–790 °C; cold forming is limited to light bending of annealed thin stock.
What is the maximum service temperature of CrWMn?
CrWMn is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CrWMn-A and CrWMn QT62-64?
A is the default condition — standard stocked condition (≤255 HB) for machining tools before hardening. QT62-64: maximum hardness and wear resistance for gauges, reamers and fine blanking punches in light-shock service. Yield strength is 480 MPa in A versus 2,050 MPa in QT62-64.
How much does CrWMn cost?
CrWMn 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.
Sources
- GB/T 1299 Tool and Die Steels ( CrWMn) (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (O1 tool steel) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16: Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Cold work tool steel 1.2510 / 105WCr6 datasheet — Böhler / Voestalpine (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.