CR12W mold steel properties

CR12W mold steel is a cold-work tool steel characterized by high strength, high hardness, and high wear resistance. Its as-cast microstructure resembles that of high-speed steel, containing approximately 20% eutectic carbides—primarily of the Cr₇C₃ type—which constitute the material's wear-resistant skeleton.
 
CR12W Mold Steel Physical Properties:
Density: Approximately 7.7–7.8 g/cm³
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: Approx. 11.3 × 10⁻⁶/°C
Eutectic Temperature: Approx. 1150°C
 
CR12W Mold Steel Mechanical Properties (After Heat Treatment):
Hardness in Annealed State: ≤ 255 HBS (HBW); suitable for machining.
Hardness After Quenching + Tempering:
Low-temperature tempering (180°C) achieves 62–64 HRC;
Medium-temperature tempering (250–400°C) adjusts hardness to 55–58 HRC.
 
Tensile Strength: ≥ 2000 MPa
Yield Strength: ≥ 1700 MPa
Wear Resistance: 3–4 times higher than that of general low-alloy tool steels.
 
Applications of CR12W mold steel include:
Precision Stamping Dies: Such as stamping dies for silicon steel motor laminations and stator/rotor laminations, requiring cutting edges to remain free of chipping or cracking after millions of stamping cycles.
High-Wear-Resistance Forming Tools: Deep drawing dies, wire drawing dies, coining dies, thread rolling dies, and thread rolling plates.
Heavy-Duty Cold Work Tools: Cold heading dies, cold extrusion dies, and cold shearing blades.
Specialized Industrial Components: Such as high-pressure fuel injectors for automotive fuel systems, and cold forming dies for aerospace titanium alloy fasteners.