Cold Work Tool Steels Official identity plus sourced composition

Material / Grade

1.2162

21MnCr5

1.2162 / 21MnCr5 is a DIN/W.Nr dossier with source-traced identity and explicitly labeled engineering guidance.

Hardness potential95 / 100Comparison index

Toughness28 / 100Comparison index

Impact resistance22 / 100Comparison index

Bending resistance52 / 100Comparison index

Abrasive wear95 / 100Comparison index

Steel Overview

Complete introduction and metallurgical analysis

1.2162 / 21MnCr5 belongs to Cold Work Tool Steels and selection centres on wear resistance, compressive strength and dimensional control in cold-work tooling.

1.2162 / 21MnCr5 is a DIN/W.Nr dossier with source-traced identity and explicitly labeled engineering guidance.

The principal recorded elements are C≈0.21%, Si≈0.25%, Mn≈1.25%, P≈0.015%, S≈0.015%, Cr≈1.15%. Mid-range values support engineering interpretation and do not replace purchase limits.

The expected microstructure is tempered martensite containing a grade-dependent population of primary and secondary alloy carbides; delivery condition, section size, melt quality and processing history can change that state.

Comparison indices are hardness 95/100, toughness 28/100, impact 22/100, wear 95/100 and bending 52/100. These are internal indices, not standard test results.

The screening temperature range is 100–250 °C; strength or hardness loss, oxidation, exposure time and creep must be assessed separately.

A representative process route is soft annealing, staged preheating, austenitising, controlled quenching and one or more tempering cycles. Obtain actual temperatures, times and cooling media from the grade and product data sheet.

Manufacturing indices are weldability 23/100, machinability 36/100, corrosion resistance 20/100 and fatigue resistance 46/100; use them for screening only.

The principal risk is chipping, cracking, grinding damage or distortion when toughness and carbide volume are not matched to the tool. Evaluate geometry, surface condition, environment and the governing failure mechanism together.

A similar name or calculated relationship is not proof of interchangeability; match chemistry, specification, condition, heat treatment and MTC.

Engineering conclusion: 1.2162 / 21MnCr5 is a rational candidate when high resistance to abrasive wear and plastic deformation in tooling matches the real load, environment and certified product condition.

Recorded standards:DIN 17350-1980DIN / W.Nr cross-reference

International Equivalents

International equivalents and designations

A close counterpart is not automatically interchangeable. Confirm chemistry, product standard, delivery condition, dimensions and heat treatment.

EN / W.NrOfficial designation for the same grade

21MnCr5 / 1.2162

A registered identity within the same grade record.

DIN / W.NrOfficial designation for the same grade

21MnCr5

A registered identity within the same grade record.

W.NrOfficial designation for the same grade

1.2162

A registered identity within the same grade record.

Chemical Composition

Chemical composition and the role of each element

The principal recorded elements are C≈0.21%, Si≈0.25%, Mn≈1.25%, P≈0.015%, S≈0.015%, Cr≈1.15%. Mid-range values support engineering interpretation and do not replace purchase limits. Composition is shown for screening and traceability. The current purchase standard and the heat-specific MTC remain authoritative.

Element	Weight-percent range	Metallurgical role and effect
C	0.18–0.24 %	Carbon raises hardness, strength and carbide potential; excessive carbon can reduce toughness and weldability.
Si	0.15–0.35 %	Silicon supports deoxidation and solid-solution strength and can influence tempering or oxidation response.
Mn	1.1–1.4 %	Manganese contributes to hardenability and sulfur control; its final effect depends on amount and processing.
P	0–0.03 %	Phosphorus is normally restricted because higher content can promote embrittlement and reduce toughness.
S	0–0.03 %	Sulfur may improve chip control in free-cutting grades but can reduce transverse toughness and weldability.
Cr	1–1.3 %	Chromium promotes hardenability and carbide formation and, at sufficient levels, corrosion or oxidation resistance.

21MnCr5 — structured limits from the cited SteelNumber page Sourced with conditions

Engineering Behaviour

Engineering behaviour and selection response

Hardness potential95 / 100

Relative screening index only; obtain condition-specific hardness data. Internal comparison index: 95/100.

Engineering analysis

Toughness28 / 100

Toughness has an internal index of 28/100 (low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Impact resistance22 / 100

Impact resistance has an internal index of 22/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Bending resistance52 / 100

Bending resistance has an internal index of 52/100 (moderate). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Abrasive wear95 / 100

Wear depends on hardness, microstructure and mechanism. Internal comparison index: 95/100.

Engineering analysis

Corrosion resistance20 / 100

Not stainless; surface protection is generally required in corrosive service. Internal comparison index: 20/100.

Engineering analysis

Weldability23 / 100

Weldability has an internal index of 23/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Machinability36 / 100

Machinability has an internal index of 36/100 (low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

High-temperature strength27 / 100

No sourced continuous maximum is claimed; the family window is screening guidance. Internal comparison index: 27/100.

Engineering analysis

Creep resistance18 / 100

Creep resistance has an internal index of 18/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Fatigue resistance46 / 100

Fatigue resistance has an internal index of 46/100 (moderate). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Engineering analysis

Numerical scores are internal comparison indices. They are not standard test results, allowable design stresses or a manufacturer guarantee. Data Method

Hardness & Hardenability

Hardness and hardenability

Relative screening index only; obtain condition-specific hardness data. Internal screening index: 95/100 (very high).

95/100

very high

Comparison index

Governing factors

Chemistry and section size
Austenitising and quench severity
Tempering temperature and time
Test method and surface preparation

Data limits

Final acceptance requires the current standard, product form, dimensions, delivery condition and heat-specific MTC.

Impact & Toughness

Toughness, impact and fracture behaviour

Impact resistance is indexed at 22/100 and toughness at 28/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.

22/100very lowComparison index

Microstructure, hardness and grain size influence impact tolerance.
Sharp radii, notches and surface defects reduce fracture resistance.
Test temperature, specimen direction and section must be identified.
For critical parts, accept impact energy only from a documented test of the same condition.

Temperature & Creep

Service temperature, thermal stability and creep

No sourced continuous maximum is claimed; the family window is screening guidance. 100–250 °C is a screening range or sourced limit according to its evidence label. Check strength loss, oxidation, creep, exposure time and environment.

Continuous service

100–250 °CEngineering guidance

Review the limit against strength or hardness loss and exposure time.

Intermittent service

Do not assign an intermittent limit without product-specific source data.

Tempering and phase stability

Working and coating temperatures must remain compatible with the tempering condition and required microstructure.

Oxidation and environment

Oxidation or corrosion may become limiting before the strength criterion.

Relative creep resistance18/100Comparison index

The relative creep index is 18/100 (very low). It is not an allowable creep stress or rupture-life value.

Do not select this grade for long-term static high-temperature loading from the internal index alone.

Wear & Surface Behaviour

Wear resistance and surface behaviour

Abrasive wear

Wear depends on hardness, microstructure and mechanism. The abrasive-wear index is 95/100; final hardness, carbides, microstructure, contact mode and lubrication govern actual resistance.

Comparison index

Adhesive wear

Assess adhesive wear with the counterface material, lubrication, roughness, pressure and temperature.

Engineering analysis

Surface improvement

Evaluate surface treatment or coating only after confirming compatibility with chemistry, substrate and process temperature.

Engineering guidance

Mechanical & Physical Properties

Mechanical and physical properties

No complete sourced numerical mechanical set is stored for this condition; labelled comparison indices are shown instead of invented test values.

Comparative property	Internal index	Information type
Hardness potential	95 / 100	Comparison index
Toughness	28 / 100	Comparison index
Impact resistance	22 / 100	Comparison index
Bending resistance	52 / 100	Comparison index
Abrasive wear	95 / 100	Comparison index
Corrosion resistance	20 / 100	Comparison index
Weldability	23 / 100	Comparison index
Machinability	36 / 100	Comparison index
High-temperature strength	27 / 100	Comparison index
Creep resistance	18 / 100	Comparison index
Fatigue resistance	46 / 100	Comparison index

Physical properties

Density, elastic modulus, expansion and conductivity depend on family, temperature and product condition. Use grade- and product-specific values for precise calculations.

Obtain density and expansion data from the product data sheet for dimensional calculations.
Elastic modulus and conductivity vary with temperature.

Engineering analysis

Heat Treatment

Heat-treatment stages and process controls

The representative family route is soft annealing, staged preheating, austenitising, controlled quenching and one or more tempering cycles. Numerical temperatures are shown only when supported by the record.

Annealing / stress relief

Engineering guidance

Assess the supply condition, residual stress, section size and prior machining before selecting time and temperature.

Cooling: Grade- and process-specific cooling

Preheating and austenitising

Engineering guidance

Set preheat steps and austenitising parameters from the grade/product data sheet and actual section size.

Cooling: Grade- and process-specific cooling

Quenching / controlled cooling

Engineering guidance

Choose the quench medium and cooling severity against hardenability, geometry, distortion and crack risk.

Cooling: Grade- and process-specific cooling

Tempering / property adjustment

Engineering guidance

Set tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.

Cooling: Grade- and process-specific cooling

Tempering / property adjustment

Engineering guidance

Set tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.

Cooling: Grade- and process-specific cooling

Process control: Review delivery condition, actual section, equipment capability, crack and distortion risk and target hardness before approving the cycle.

Engineering Charts

Hardness, toughness, impact, temperature and process charts

Chemistry data retain their evidence label; 0–100 charts are internal indices and stages without temperature are process sequences.

Multi-axis engineering profile

Comparison index

Chemical composition

Derived from source data

Hardness–toughness balance

Comparison index

Toughness, impact and fatigue

Comparison index

Wear and surface response

Comparison index

Mechanical properties or comparison indices

Comparison index

Service temperature

Engineering guidance

Heat treatment

Engineering guidance

Related-grade similarity

Comparison index

All comparison indices

Comparison index

Failure Modes & Selection

Potential failure modes and selection guidance

Potential failure mechanisms

chipping, cracking, grinding damage or distortion when toughness and carbide volume are not matched to the tool.
Fatigue initiation from surface defects, section transitions or stress concentration.
Property loss after unsuitable heat treatment, cooling or finishing.
Corrosion, oxidation or environmental attack when protection is inadequate.

Selection and design notes

Match designation, material number, product standard and supply form before purchase.
Compare the governing failure mechanism with hardness 95, toughness 28, impact 22 and wear 95 indices out of 100.
Use mechanical values only within their cited condition, dimensions and test temperature.
Confirm the heat-treatment route and target hardness with the processor before final machining.
Review the heat number, MTC and required test results before release.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages, limitations and unsuitable applications

Advantages

high resistance to abrasive wear and plastic deformation in tooling.
A clearly labelled engineering profile supports comparison with related grades.
Grade identity, chemistry, counterparts and references remain traceable in one dossier.

Limitations and weaknesses

chipping, cracking, grinding damage or distortion when toughness and carbide volume are not matched to the tool.
A 0–100 index cannot be converted into design stress, impact energy or creep life.
Hardness and toughness depend on section, delivery condition and actual processing.
Do not approve a substitute before checking the product standard and heat-specific MTC.

Cases requiring caution or an alternative material

Critical design without condition- and section-specific test dataDirect substitution based only on name or similarity scoreLong-term creep service without sourced time–stress–temperature datachipping, cracking, grinding damage or distortion when toughness and carbide volume are not matched to the tool

Applications & Processing

Industrial applications and processing

Typical applications

Punches, dies and blanking tools
Industrial blades, knives and cutting tools
Cold-forming, drawing and cold-rolling tools
blanking and forming dies
punches, shear blades and gauges
cold extrusion and drawing tools
wear-loaded tooling and precision inserts

Manufacture, welding and surface engineering

Weldability has an internal index of 23/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.

Forming and forging depend on steel family, delivery condition and the grade-specific qualified temperature range.

Select nitriding, induction hardening or coating against chemistry, substrate hardness and application.
Keep coating-deposition temperature compatible with the tempering condition and substrate.
Control hydrogen embrittlement, residual stress and distortion in high-strength components.

Engineering Conclusion

Engineering conclusion and selection recommendation

1.2162 / 21MnCr5 is worth evaluating when the principal need is high resistance to abrasive wear and plastic deformation in tooling. Internal indices of hardness 95/100, toughness 28/100, impact 22/100 and wear 95/100 must be aligned with the real failure mechanism. The leading risk is chipping, cracking, grinding damage or distortion when toughness and carbide volume are not matched to the tool. Final approval requires the current standard, product form, dimensions, delivery condition, heat treatment and heat-specific MTC.

Engineering analysis

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is 1.2162 / 21MnCr5 steel?

1.2162 / 21MnCr5 is a DIN/W.Nr dossier with source-traced identity and explicitly labeled engineering guidance.

What are the main applications of 1.2162 / 21MnCr5?

Application contexts include Punches, dies and blanking tools, Industrial blades, knives and cutting tools, Cold-forming, drawing and cold-rolling tools and blanking and forming dies, subject to the product standard and actual condition.

How hard can 1.2162 / 21MnCr5 be?

Relative screening index only; obtain condition-specific hardness data. Internal screening index: 95/100 (very high).

Is 1.2162 / 21MnCr5 suitable for impact loading?

Impact resistance is indexed at 22/100 and toughness at 28/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.

What is the service-temperature limit of 1.2162 / 21MnCr5?

Can 1.2162 / 21MnCr5 be replaced by a close grade?

Approve substitution only after matching chemistry, specification, product form, condition, heat treatment and MTC.

Steel Comparison

Engineering steel comparison

Compare this grade with any other dossier. Scores from 0 to 100 are internal screening indices, not laboratory values or allowable design stresses.

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Current grade1.2162 / 21MnCr5Cold Work Tool Steels

Selected grade1.1730 / C45UCold Work Tool Steels

Current-grade chemistry

Second-grade chemistry

Current-grade heat treatment

Second-grade heat treatment

Current-grade applications

Limitations

Second-grade applications

Limitations

Select a second grade to update the comparison.

Sources & Evidence

Sources, methodology and evidence

Sources support grade identity, recorded values or the engineering method. General guidance does not replace product-specific certification.

Grade-specific sources

steelnumber.comSource Inventory · Tier B

Reference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: source inventory.

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steelnumber.comDesignation Context · Tier B

Reference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: designation context.

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steelnumber.comDesignation cross-reference · Tier B

Reference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: identity crosswalk.

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steelnumber.comComposition Source · Tier B

Reference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: composition source.

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stahldaten.deOfficial material-number register · Tier A

Reference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: official material number register.

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