1.2842 / 90MnCrV8 – Cold work tool steel with high hardness and dimensional stability
Steel 1.2842 (90MnCrV8) is a popular cold work tool steel known for its high hardness after hardening, good wear resistance and very good dimensional stability during heat treatment. The combination of manganese, chromium and vanadium provides high strength, toughness and long tool life.
Thanks to these properties, it is one of the most commonly used steels in toolmaking and precision manufacturing.
Properties of 1.2842 (90MnCrV8)
🔩 High hardness after hardening
This steel reaches 58–62 HRC, making it ideal for knives, cutting tools and forming tools.
⚙️ Excellent wear resistance
Vanadium increases carbide hardness, resulting in high tool life even in demanding applications.
📏 High dimensional stability
Minimal distortion during hardening makes this steel suitable for precision tools and components.
🔧 Good machinability in the annealed condition
Easy to machine before hardening when supplied in the annealed (+A) condition.
🛠️ Versatile use in toolmaking
Suitable for both large and small tools, dies, mould components and precision parts.
Chemical composition of 1.2842 (90MnCrV8)
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.85 – 0.95 |
| Mn | 1.70 – 2.00 |
| Cr | 0.30 – 0.50 |
| V | 0.07 – 0.15 |
| Si | ≤ 0.40 |
| P | ≤ 0.030 |
| S | ≤ 0.030 |
Typical applications of 1.2842
✂️ Cutting and forming tools
- shears and shear inserts
- knives and trimming blades
- punches
🧰 Tool and die components
- guides and guide rails
- form inserts
- cold work dies
⚙️ Measuring and precision components
- measuring tips
- assembly fixtures
- precision sliding parts
🏭 Mechanical engineering
- smaller sliding and guiding components
- precision mechanical parts
Heat treatment (guideline values)
| Process | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soft annealing | 680 – 720 °C | hardness approx. 200 HB |
| Hardening | 780 – 820 °C | oil |
| Tempering | 150 – 200 °C | target: 58–62 HRC |
| Double tempering | – | recommended for improved stability |
Mechanical properties
- Hardness after hardening: 58–62 HRC
- Hardness in annealed condition: approx. 200 HB
- High wear resistance
- Very good dimensional stability
Why choose 1.2842 / 90MnCrV8?
1.2842 is an excellent choice for cold work tooling where high hardness, good wear resistance, precision and dimensional stability are required. It is especially suitable for punches, knives, shear tools, form inserts and a wide range of precision toolmaking applications.
