DIN 60WCrV8 1.2550 AISI S1 Cold Work Tool Steel

Product Features

Chemical Composition

Strictly implemented in accordance with DIN standard, with strict control of harmful impurities (P/S) to ensure material purity and service life:

Hardness & Mechanical Properties

Hardness is the core index for tool steel selection. Below are standard hardness parameters of 1.2550 in different delivery and heat treatment states, plus extended mechanical performance descriptions:

Extended Mechanical Properties: Under full heat treatment, 1.2550 has high compressive strength and low quenching deformation. Its dimensional stability is excellent after long-term use, and it is not easy to loose precision for gauges and precision molds.

Production Process & Quality Inspection

Steel Making Process

We adopt multiple mature smelting processes to meet different purity requirements of customers, covering conventional smelting and high-purity electroslag remelting (ESR):

• EF+LF+VD / EAF+LF+VD: Conventional smelting, stable quality, cost-effective for general tools & molds;

• EF+LF+VD+ESR / EAF+LF+VD+ESR: Electroslag remelting process, fewer internal inclusions, more uniform structure, for high-precision and long-life tools.

Forging Process

• Initial forging temperature: 1100–1150 ℃ (ensure full plasticity of steel, avoid forging cracks);

• Final forging temperature: ≥ 850 ℃ (prevent cold forging and internal stress);

• Cooling method: Furnace cooling or sand cooling (slow cooling to release forging stress).

Quality Inspection Standard

All products pass Ultrasonic Testing (UT), compliance standard: EN10228-3 Class III or Sep 1921-84 D/D, effectively detect internal cracks, porosity and inclusions to ensure no defective materials are delivered.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment directly determines the service performance of 1.2550. We provide standard annealing, quenching and tempering processes for customer reference:

Annealing (Softening Treatment, for Machining)

• Heating temperature: 780–800 ℃, uniform heating and heat preservation;

• Cooling control: Furnace slow cooling at a rate ≤ 20 ℃/h, cool down to about 500 ℃;

• Post-processing: Take out and cool naturally in air;

• Effect: Material softens to HB 229 max, optimal for cutting processing.

Quenching & Tempering

• Quenching: Heat to 900–920 ℃ in salt bath furnace, fully heat preservation, then oil quenching (reduce quenching deformation risk);

• Tempering: Furnace tempering at 170–190 ℃, keep warm sufficiently;

• Cooling: Air cooling after tempering;

• Final hardness: Stably reach HRC 58+, with balanced hardness and toughness.

Tempering Curve Tip

When tempering temperature rises from 100 ℃ to 800 ℃, the hardness of 1.2550 gradually decreases. Low-temperature tempering (170–190 ℃) retains the highest hardness and wear resistance, which is the most commonly used process for cold work tools.

Product Specifications, Sizes & Tolerance

We supply diversified product forms including round bars, plates, forged blocks, with complete size ranges, strict tolerance control and multiple surface treatments to meet processing needs of different customers.

Product Types & Size Range

Surface Finish, Tolerance & Straightness

Additional Service

• Custom cutting: Cut into fixed lengths, small pieces or special shapes according to drawings;

• Precision deep processing: CNC finishing, surface grinding, chamfering;

• Batch customized production: Support large-size non-standard forged blocks.

Core Application Fields

As a multi-purpose cold work tool steel, 1.2550 is mainly used for medium-duty cold working tools, molds and wear-resistant precision parts. It is especially suitable for working conditions where tools are prone to chipping, fracture and wear.

Cutting & Stamping Tools

• Cutting tools: Medium-low speed & heavy-load twist drills, reamers, taps, milling cutters, gear cutting tools, industrial shear blades and cutting knives.

• Stamping & punching dies: Punching dies for medium-thick plates and high-strength materials, trimming dies, blanking dies. Excellent anti-chipping performance extends die life.

Cold Forming Molds

• Cold heading & cold extrusion dies: Mold cavities and punches for bolts, nuts, rivets and standard parts.

• Bending & drawing dies: Sheet metal bending dies, steel tube drawing mandrels, swaging dies.

Precision Measuring Tools & Wear-Resistant Mechanical Parts

• Measuring tools: High-precision gauges, templates and inspection models (good dimensional stability, not easy to wear and lose precision).

• Mechanical components: Machine tool guide rails, sliding parts, bushings and other impact & wear-resistant parts.

Extended Application

Due to moderate hot hardness, it can be used for light-load hot riveting tools and small hot forging dies for light alloys, avoiding frequent material replacement under intermittent high temperature.

Comparison: 1.2550 vs S1 vs 6CrW2Si vs 1.2510 Steel

Most customers will compare alternative grades during procurement. We analyze the differences between 1.2550, AISI S1, 6CrW2Si and 1.2510 from performance, processing and application dimensions to help you select materials accurately.

1.2550 (60WCrV8) VS AISI S1

• Hardness & Wear Resistance: 1.2550 has higher carbon content, higher surface hardness and better wear resistance after heat treatment, suitable for heavier wear working conditions;

• Toughness & Impact Resistance: AISI S1 has wider tungsten range and higher vanadium content, slightly better toughness, more suitable for high-frequency impact tools;

• Processing Performance: Similar machinability; S1 has wider silicon range and stronger adaptability to complex processing;

• Selection Suggestion: Choose 1.2550 for European standard equipment & heavy wear; Choose AISI S1 for American standard tools & high impact.

1.2550 (60WCrV8) VS 6CrW2Si

• Toughness & Anti-Chipping: 1.2550 contains vanadium, grain refinement effect is obvious, better toughness and less chipping; 6CrW2Si has no vanadium, slightly weaker toughness;

• Wear Resistance & Red Hardness: 6CrW2Si has higher tungsten content, better red hardness and wear resistance, suitable for hot shear and high-temperature intermittent working conditions;

• Machinability: 1.2550 has higher silicon content, smoother cutting and lower tool loss;

• Selection Suggestion: Choose 1.2550 for precision cold work tools & molds; Choose 6CrW2Si for hot shear blades & hot working auxiliary tools.

1.2550 VS 1.2510

• Alloy Elements: 1.2550 has higher tungsten and vanadium content; 1.2510 has higher manganese content;

• Core Performance: 1.2550 is superior in wear resistance, fatigue resistance and impact toughness; 1.2510 has better machinability and weldability;

• Application: 1.2550 for heavy-load impact & wear tools; 1.2510 for simple molds requiring frequent welding and repair.

FAQ

Q1: Is DIN 60WCrV8 the same as AISI S1?

A1: Very close. 60WCrV8 has slightly higher carbon and chromium range, but both are interchangeable for most cold work applications. Qilu can supply either standard with certification.

Q2: What is the equivalent grade of DIN 1.2550?

A2: The main equivalent grades are AISI S1 (USA), GB 6CrW2Si (China) and ISO 60WCrV8. They can be replaced mutually in most conventional cold work scenarios, with slight differences in composition and partial performance.

Q3: What is the maximum hardness of 1.2550 after heat treatment?

A3: After standard quenching and low-temperature tempering, the hardness can reach HRC 58 minimum, which is the standard working hardness for tools and molds.

Q4: What is the machinability of annealed 1.2550?

A4: After annealing (HB ≤ 229), it has excellent machinability. Ordinary high-speed steel cutters can complete turning, milling, drilling and other processing, with low cutter wear.

For custom sizes, alternative equivalents, or technical datasheets, please contact us with your drawing or specification.