Steel D4 HT+CRYO
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE D4 · UNS T30404 · EN 1.2436, X210CrW12
HT+CRYO = hardened + deep cryogenic (-80 to -196 °C) + double temper, 61–63 HRC
Use for precision gauges and long-run progressive dies where retained austenite must be eliminated for size stability and wear life.
Values for the HT+CRYO condition
Other D4 tempers and conditions
D4 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at D4.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Pick for large or asymmetric die blocks to minimise distortion during subsequent hardening. | 440 | 760 | 13 | 20 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard mill supply condition for bar, flat and plate; use for all rough and finish machining before hardening. | 450 | 780 | 12 | 235 HB | — |
Hardened, tempered and gas/plasma nitrided | Surface-engineered condition for galling-prone cold forming of stainless or high-strength sheet; must be tempered above the nitriding temperature first. | 1,750 | 1,900 | 0.5 | 58 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened & high-temperature tempered 57–59 HRC | Choose when the tool will be nitrided or PVD-coated, or when slightly higher temper resistance and dimensional stability are needed. | — | 1,900 | — | 58 HRC | — |
HT+CRYOThis page Hardened + deep cryogenic (-80 to -196 °C) + double temper, 61–63 HRC | Use for precision gauges and long-run progressive dies where retained austenite must be eliminated for size stability and wear life. | 1,900 | 2,050 | 0.8 | 62 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened, as-quenched / 150 °C temper, 62–64 HRC | Maximum hardness for wire-drawing dies, thread rolls and abrasive-wear inserts; lowest toughness, use only for low-shock work. | 1,950 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 60–62 HRC | The standard working condition for blanking, piercing and cold-forming tooling where maximum wear resistance is needed. | — | 2,000 | 0.5 | 61 HRC | — |
What is D4 HT+CRYO?
D4 HT+CRYO is D4 heat treated to HT+CRYO — use for precision gauges and long-run progressive dies where retained austenite must be eliminated for size stability and wear life. D4 HT+CRYO has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). D4 HT+CRYO has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT+CRYO 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 — 33/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 14 MPa·√m (12.7 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 99% of steel grades
D4 HT+CRYO properties
Typical room-temperature values for D4 HT+CRYO; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are D4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
D4 HT+CRYO has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F).
Mechanical16
D4 HT+CRYO has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
D4 HT+CRYO 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 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
D4 HT+CRYO conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of D4 HT+CRYO takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
D4 HT+CRYO's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (4/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with D4 HT+CRYO
Is D4 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or coated carbide at low speed; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can D4 be welded?
Essentially non-structural weldability — repair only, with 300–450 °C preheat, matched high-alloy filler, low heat input and immediate re-temper.
Can D4 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling, then full spheroidize anneal at 850–870 °C to restore machinability.
What surface finishes work on D4?
Takes a good but not flawless mirror polish because of the coarse M7C3 carbide network; commonly finished by grinding plus nitriding, TiCN/CrN PVD or black oxide for corrosion protection.
D4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAISI D4 2.05–2.40; DIN 1.2436 2.00–2.30 | 2 – 2.4 | 2.15 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| MoAISI D4 only; not specified in 1.2436 | 0.7 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| WDIN 1.2436 X210CrW12; ≤1.00 optional in AISI D4 | 0.6 – 0.8 | 0.7 |
| V | ≤ 1 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
D4 HT+CRYO — frequently asked
What is D4 HT+CRYO used for?
D4 HT+CRYO is typically used for blanking dies, forming rolls, gauges and wear-resistant tooling. In short: tungsten-modified D3; high wear, low distortion; precision die steel.
What is the yield strength of D4 HT+CRYO?
D4 HT+CRYO has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is D4 HT+CRYO easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or coated carbide at low speed; after hardening use grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can D4 HT+CRYO be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (4/100). Essentially non-structural weldability — repair only, with 300–450 °C preheat, matched high-alloy filler, low heat input and immediate re-temper.
What surface finishes work on D4 HT+CRYO?
Takes a good but not flawless mirror polish because of the coarse M7C3 carbide network; commonly finished by grinding plus nitriding, TiCN/CrN PVD or black oxide for corrosion protection.
Can D4 HT+CRYO be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; hot work at 900–1050 °C with slow cooling, then full spheroidize anneal at 850–870 °C to restore machinability.
What is the maximum service temperature of D4 HT+CRYO?
D4 HT+CRYO 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.
What is the difference between D4-ANN and D4-HT64?
ANN is the default condition — standard mill supply condition for bar, flat and plate; use for all rough and finish machining before hardening. HT64: maximum hardness for wire-drawing dies, thread rolls and abrasive-wear inserts; lowest toughness, use only for low-shock work. Yield strength is 450 MPa in ANN versus 1,950 MPa in HT64.
Sources
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- DIN EN ISO 4957 Tool steels (X210CrW12 / 1.2436) — DIN/ISO (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
- Cold-work tool steel 1.2436 / X210CrW12 datasheet — European tool-steel producers (Böhler/Dörrenberg class data) (2022)
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.