Comprehensive Guide to Cold Work Tool Steel Plates: Grades, Properties, Applications, and Sourcing

Cold work tool steel is the backbone of industrial tooling used in processes involving deformation at room or slightly elevated temperatures. These steels are designed to withstand extreme mechanical stresses, including abrasion, impact, compression, and edge retention, making them indispensable for industries such as automotive, aerospace, appliance manufacturing, and precision stamping.

This article provides a comprehensive look into cold work tool steel plates: the most widely used grades, their chemical and mechanical properties, equivalent standards across regions, applications, and guidance for procurement. Whether you’re an engineer, procurement officer, or distributor, this guide is intended to serve as your complete reference.

What Is Cold Work Tool Steel?

Cold work tool steels are high-carbon, high-alloy steels developed specifically for tooling that operates at temperatures typically below 200°C. These steels are characterized by:

• High hardness and wear resistance
• Dimensional stability during heat treatment
• Toughness and resistance to chipping
• Good machinability and hardenability

Cold work steels are typically used for cutting, blanking, forming, drawing, and punching applications.

Common Cold Work Tool Steel Grades (China & Global Equivalents)

Below is a list of widely used cold work tool steel grades, categorized by their origin, with technical details and equivalents:

1. Cr12 (GB/T 1299)

• Equivalent to: DIN 1.2080, AISI D3, JIS SKD1
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 2.00–2.30, Cr: 11.00–13.00, Mn: ≤0.60, Si: ≤0.60
• Hardness (after quenching and tempering): 58–63 HRC
• Application: Dies for blanking, stamping, deep drawing; cold shear blades
• Features: High hardness and wear resistance but relatively low impact toughness

2. Cr12MoV (GB/T 1299)

• Equivalent to: AISI D2, DIN 1.2379, JIS SKD11
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 1.45–1.60, Cr: 11.00–13.00, Mo: 0.70–1.00, V: 0.15–0.30
• Hardness: 58–62 HRC
• Application: High-precision and high-wear dies, shear blades, cold extrusion tools
• Features: Improved toughness and hardenability over Cr12

3. 9CrSi (GB/T 1299)

• Equivalent to: None directly, used primarily in China
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 0.90–1.00, Cr: 1.20–1.60, Si: 0.90–1.20
• Hardness: Up to 64 HRC
• Application: Cold punches, cutters, stamping tools
• Features: High wear resistance, limited toughness

4. MnCrWv (GB/T 1299)

• Equivalent to: Approximate to DIN 1.2510 (O1), JIS SKS3
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 0.90–1.00, Mn: 1.10–1.50, Cr: 0.50–0.80, W: 0.50–0.80
• Hardness: 58–62 HRC
• Application: General-purpose cold work dies and shear tools
• Features: Balanced performance, economic choice

5. GCr15 (for wear-resistant dies)

• Equivalent to: AISI 52100, DIN 100Cr6
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 0.95–1.05, Cr: 1.30–1.65
• Hardness: 60–64 HRC
• Application: Precision wear-resistant dies, small tools, ball bearings

6. T10A (High Carbon Tool Steel)

• Equivalent to: W1/W2 (approximate), water-hardened steel
• Chemical Composition (%): C: 1.00–1.10
• Application: Fine cutting tools, chisels

Related Reading: Wondering whether O1 or A2 tool steel fits your tooling project better?

Property Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Cold Work Tool Steel?

Choosing the right cold work tool steel involves matching material properties with your specific application demands. The key factors include:

• Type of workpiece material (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum)
• Tooling application (e.g., punching, shearing, forming)
• Production volume (batch size, cycles per day)
• Required surface finish and dimensional accuracy
• Tool life expectations
• Budget constraints and heat treatment capabilities

Here is a structured comparison to assist your selection:

Still unsure? Reach out with your application scenario—we’ll help you choose the optimal steel grade.

Equivalent Grades Across Standards

Processing & Heat Treatment

Most cold work tool steels are hardened by oil or air quenching and tempered to achieve the desired hardness. Surface treatments such as nitriding or PVD coating can be applied for enhanced wear performance.

• Cr12/Cr12MoV: Oil quenching, multiple tempering
• MnCrWv: Oil/air quenching, good dimensional stability
• 9CrSi: Careful control during quenching to avoid cracking
• GCr15: Through hardening, fine grain size after heat treatment
• T10A: Water hardening, best suited for simple tools

Cold Work Tool Steel Plate Sourcing

When sourcing cold work tool steel plates, consider the following:

• Certifications: Mill test certificates, chemical & mechanical compliance
• Size availability: Common thickness range 10–300mm, width up to 2000mm
• Delivery time: Varies by grade and heat treatment
• Surface condition: Hot-rolled, annealed, ground or rough-machined
• Customization: Cut-to-length, machining, surface treatment services

Looking for a reliable tool steel plate supplier? We offer full-grade cold work tool steels including MnCrWv steel, Cr12MoV, 9CrSi, and more.

View our tool steel plate offering

FAQs About Cold Work Tool Steels

Q1: What’s the most wear-resistant cold work steel?
A: Cr12MoV (D2) offers excellent wear resistance for most cold stamping and shearing applications.

Q2: Is *MnCrWv* a good alternative to D2?
A: MnCrWv is more economical and provides decent wear resistance, but it has lower toughness and durability than D2 (Cr12MoV).

Q3: Do you provide customized plate sizes?
A: Yes. Our plates can be flame cut or saw-cut to custom lengths, with optional rough machining and grinding.

Q4: Can I get international equivalents if I only know my local grade?
A: Yes. We provide material equivalency charts and technical consultation for cross-standard sourcing.

Conclusion

Cold work tool steels are fundamental to precision manufacturing where strength, hardness, and dimensional stability matter most. Whether you need high-performance grades like Cr12MoV, cost-effective solutions like MnCrWv, or specialty steels like GCr15, choosing the right material ensures your tools perform longer and more reliably.

At CJM Steel Group, we supply certified cold work tool steel plates for global customers in tooling, mold making, and precision forming industries.

Ready to source? Click here to explore our cold work tool steel offerings or contact us for technical assistance.

Email: info@cjmstainlesssteel.com

WhatsApp: +86 181 9190 6640