
Werkstoffnummer (W.Nr.) 1.2767, designated in the DIN system as X45NiCrMo4, is a premium nickel-alloyed cold-work tool steel. Renowned for its extreme core toughness, high through-hardenability, and excellent resistance to structural shock, it is the European benchmark for high-impact industrial tooling.
When sourced as a flat bar, 1.2767 is typically machined, ground, or EDM-cut into robust die blocks, heavy-duty inserts, and high-load mechanical structural plates.
The defining characteristic of 1.2767 is its high nickel content. Nickel radically increases the steel's impact energy absorption, preventing catastrophic cracking or splitting when exposed to heavy cyclic shocks, even in thick flat-block cross-sections.
| Carbon (C) | Nickel (Ni) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) |
| 0.40 0.50% | 3.80 4.30% | 1.20 1.50% | 0.15 0.35% | 0.10 0.40% | 0.15 0.45% |
Deep Through-Hardenability: Unlike shallow-hardening carbon steels, the nickel-chromium-molybdenum balance ensures that large, thick flat bars achieve uniform, consistent hardness from the surface all the way to the core.
Superior Polishability & Etching: 1.2767 can be polished to a mirror-like finish and is highly receptive to photo-etching and texturing.
Low Heat-Treat Distortion: Because it easily air-hardens, the internal stress generated during quenching is remarkably low, preserving precise flat block geometry.
Flat bar stock is predominantly utilized for heavy-gauge forming or molding tools where lesser steels (like O1, A2, or D2) would chip or shatter:
Plastic Injection Moulds: Especially for deep-cavity molds or mold inserts processing abrasive polymers where high core strength and high gloss finish are prerequisites.
Heavy-Duty Forging & Press Dies: Forging die inserts, hot-shear blades, and structural backers that take continuous pounding.
Bending & Punching Tools: Manufacturing thick-gauge sheet metal plates, cold-forming dies, and high-impact structural clamping fixtures.
Coining & Embossing Dies: Excellent for deep-impression stamping blocks.
1.2767 flat stock is normally delivered in the spheroidized annealed condition (maximum hardness of 285 HBW) for optimized machinability.
Soft Annealing: Heat uniformly to $610^circtext{C} - 650^circtext{C}$, hold for 2 to 4 hours, and then cool very slowly inside the furnace.
Stress Relieving: After heavy milling or rough machining, heat to $approx 650^circtext{C}$, soak for 2 hours, and cool in air to eliminate residual mechanical stresses before final hardening.
Hardening (Austenitizing): Preheat slowly to $600^circtext{C} - 650^circtext{C}$, then ramp up to the final hardening temperature of $840^circtext{C} - 870^circtext{C}$.
Quenching: Quench in oil, warm salt bath ($180^circtext{C} - 220^circtext{C}$), or use an intensive vacuum gas nitrogen pressure blast. Air/vacuum quenching is highly recommended for flat bars to eliminate distortion.
Tempering: Temper immediately after the material drops below $60^circtext{C}$. Standard tempering occurs between $150^circtext{C} - 300^circtext{C}$ to lock in a rugged working hardness of 52 to 58 HRC.
If you are replacing a grade or managing international procurement, DIN 1.2767 corresponds closely to:
United States (AISI / ASTM): ~AISI 6F7 / L6 upgraded variant (L6 has lower nickel and lacks the precise Cr-Mo balance of 1.2767)
France (AFNOR): 45NCD16
United Kingdom (BS): En30B (Close performance match)
Italy (UNI): 45NiCrMo16
Price: