1.2080 / X210Cr12 / D3 – High-carbon chromium cold work tool steel with extreme wear resistance
Steel 1.2080 (D3) is a high-carbon, highly alloyed cold work tool steel known for its extreme hardness and maximum wear resistance.
Its content of approximately 2% carbon and 12% chromium creates a large volume of hard carbides, resulting in exceptional abrasion resistance, long tool life and high precision even during prolonged use.
Properties of 1.2080 (D3)
🛡️ Extreme wear resistance
One of the most wear-resistant cold work steels, ideal for abrasive working environments.
🔩 High hardness after hardening (58–62 HRC)
Perfect for cutting, blanking and forming hard materials.
📏 Good dimensional stability
Minimal distortion during heat treatment makes it suitable for precision manufacturing.
⚙️ High carbide content
Ensures extremely long tool life and makes it suitable for high-volume production.
🔧 Lower toughness
Not suitable for shock or dynamic loading – 1.2379 is usually preferred in such cases.
Chemical composition of 1.2080
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 1.90 – 2.20 |
| Cr | 11.00 – 13.00 |
| Mn | 0.20 – 0.60 |
| Si | 0.10 – 0.60 |
| V | ≤ 0.10 |
| P | ≤ 0.030 |
| S | ≤ 0.030 |
Typical applications of 1.2080
✂️ Cutting and material separation tools
- shear plates
- blanking tools
- knives for cutting steel and paper
⚙️ Forming and pressing operations
- forming inserts
- drawing and bending tools
- pressing elements
🛠️ Parts exposed to heavy wear
- guide rails
- precision sliding parts
- wear segments in mechanical systems
🧰 Industrial knives
- knives for plastic, rubber and paper
- cutting segments with long service life
Heat treatment (guideline values)
| Process | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soft annealing | 800 – 850 °C | hardness approx. 220–240 HB |
| Preheating 1 | 450 – 500 °C | gradual heating |
| Preheating 2 | 800 – 850 °C | homogenisation |
| Austenitising (hardening) | 960 – 980 °C | oil / salt bath |
| Tempering | 150 – 300 °C | target: 58–62 HRC |
| Double tempering | – | reduces retained austenite |
Mechanical properties
- Hardness after hardening: 58–62 HRC
- Hardness in annealed condition: 220–240 HB
- Extreme abrasion resistance
- Low toughness – not suitable for shock loading
