Cold Work Tool Steels Official identity plus labelled composition estimate
Material / Grade
1.2602
GX165CrMoV12
1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
Steel Overview
Complete introduction and metallurgical analysis
1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 belongs to Cold Work Tool Steels and selection centres on wear resistance, compressive strength and dimensional control in cold-work tooling.
1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
The principal recorded elements are C≈1.65%, Cr≈12%. 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 96/100, toughness 31/100, impact 24/100, wear 96/100 and bending 71/100. These are internal indices, not standard test results.
The screening temperature range is 0–260 °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 5/100, machinability 37/100, corrosion resistance 29/100 and fatigue resistance 71/100; 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: 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 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 EN 10027-2 — steel material-number systemDIN EN 10027-1 — steel designation systemEuropean Steel Registration Office / Stahldaten
International Equivalents
International equivalents and designations
A close counterpart is not automatically interchangeable. Confirm chemistry, product standard, delivery condition, dimensions and heat treatment.
W.NrOfficial designation for the same grade
1.2602A registered identity within the same grade record.
DIN / EN official registerOfficial designation for the same grade
GX165CrMoV12A registered identity within the same grade record.
Chemical Composition
Chemical composition and the role of each element
The principal recorded elements are C≈1.65%, Cr≈12%. 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 | ≈ 1.65 % | Carbon raises hardness, strength and carbide potential; excessive carbon can reduce toughness and weldability. |
| Cr | ≈ 12 % | Chromium promotes hardenability and carbide formation and, at sufficient levels, corrosion or oxidation resistance. |
DIN EN 10027-1 — steel designation system Designation estimate
Engineering Behaviour
Engineering behaviour and selection response
Hardness potential96 / 100
Relative hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal comparison index: 96/100.
Engineering analysisToughness31 / 100
Toughness has an internal index of 31/100 (low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisImpact resistance24 / 100
Impact resistance has an internal index of 24/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisBending resistance71 / 100
Bending resistance has an internal index of 71/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisAbrasive wear96 / 100
Wear screening depends on microstructure, hardness, counterface and lubrication. Internal comparison index: 96/100.
Engineering analysisCorrosion resistance29 / 100
Corrosion resistance depends on actual chemistry, condition, surface and exposure environment. Internal comparison index: 29/100.
Engineering analysisWeldability5 / 100
Weldability has an internal index of 5/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisMachinability37 / 100
Machinability has an internal index of 37/100 (low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisHigh-temperature strength55 / 100
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. Internal comparison index: 55/100.
Engineering analysisCreep resistance30 / 100
Creep resistance has an internal index of 30/100 (low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisFatigue resistance71 / 100
Fatigue resistance has an internal index of 71/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisNumerical 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 hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal screening index: 96/100 (very high).
96/100
very high
Comparison indexGoverning 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 24/100 and toughness at 31/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.
24/100very 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
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. 0–260 °C is a screening range or sourced limit according to its evidence label. Check strength loss, oxidation, creep, exposure time and environment.
Continuous service
0–260 °CEngineering guidanceReview 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 resistance30/100Comparison index
The relative creep index is 30/100 (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 screening depends on microstructure, hardness, counterface and lubrication. The abrasive-wear index is 96/100; final hardness, carbides, microstructure, contact mode and lubrication govern actual resistance.
Comparison indexAdhesive wear
Assess adhesive wear with the counterface material, lubrication, roughness, pressure and temperature.
Engineering analysisSurface improvement
Evaluate surface treatment or coating only after confirming compatibility with chemistry, substrate and process temperature.
Engineering guidanceMechanical & 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 | 96 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Toughness | 31 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Impact resistance | 24 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Bending resistance | 71 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Abrasive wear | 96 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Corrosion resistance | 29 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Weldability | 5 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Machinability | 37 / 100 | Comparison index |
| High-temperature strength | 55 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Creep resistance | 30 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Fatigue resistance | 71 / 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.
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 guidanceAssess the supply condition, residual stress, section size and prior machining before selecting time and temperature.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingPreheating and austenitising
Engineering guidanceSet preheat steps and austenitising parameters from the grade/product data sheet and actual section size.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingQuenching / controlled cooling
Engineering guidanceChoose the quench medium and cooling severity against hardenability, geometry, distortion and crack risk.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingTempering / property adjustment
Engineering guidanceSet tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingTempering / property adjustment
Engineering guidanceSet tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingProcess 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 indexChemical composition
Designation estimateHardness–toughness balance
Comparison indexToughness, impact and fatigue
Comparison indexWear and surface response
Comparison indexMechanical properties or comparison indices
Comparison indexService temperature
Engineering guidanceHeat treatment
Engineering guidanceRelated-grade similarity
Comparison indexAll comparison indices
Comparison indexFailure 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 96, toughness 31, impact 24 and wear 96 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
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 5/100 (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
1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 is worth evaluating when the principal need is high resistance to abrasive wear and plastic deformation in tooling. Internal indices of hardness 96/100, toughness 31/100, impact 24/100 and wear 96/100 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 analysisShaygan Steel — the right choice in alloy steelFrequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 steel?
1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
What are the main applications of 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12?
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 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 be?
Relative hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal screening index: 96/100 (very high).
Is 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 suitable for impact loading?
Impact resistance is indexed at 24/100 and toughness at 31/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.
What is the service-temperature limit of 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12?
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. 0–260 °C is a screening range or sourced limit according to its evidence label. Check strength loss, oxidation, creep, exposure time and environment.
Can 1.2602 / GX165CrMoV12 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-grade chemistry
Second-grade chemistry
Current-grade heat treatment
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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
stahldaten.deOfficial material-number register · Tier A
View sourceReference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: official material number register.
VDEh — European Steel Registration OfficeRegistration Authority · Tier A
View sourceReference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: registration authority.
Methodology and analysis sources
DIN EN 10027 — Numbering and designation framework / European Steel Registration Office
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Ovako Steel Navigator — Heat treatment and engineering steel data
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Outokumpu — Stainless corrosion resistance methodology
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
TWI — Carbon equivalent and hydrogen cracking
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Dossier reviewed: 2026-08-25 · Evidence status: Official identity plus labelled composition estimate
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