
X205Cr12KU (traditionally cataloged under Werkstoffnummer W.Nr. 1.2080) is a high-carbon, high-chromium, ledeburitic cold-work tool steel. Originating from the Italian UNI standard system (where the "KU" suffix indicates controlled execution/ultrasound-tested quality), this grade represents the classic AISI D3 / High-Carbon High-Chromium (HCHCR) family.
If you are sourcing, machining, or specifying X205Cr12KU tool steel bars, this technical breakdown details its industrial properties.
X205Cr12KU relies on a massive volume of primary chromium carbides distributed within its matrix. This structural composition grants it elite abrasive wear resistance, though it limits its shock resistance compared to newer matrix steels.
| Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Tungsten (W) | Vanadium (V) |
| 1.90 2.20% | 11.00 13.00% | 0.10 0.60% | 0.20 0.60% | ~1.00% (Optional) | ~1.00% (Optional) |
Elite Abrasive Wear Resistance: The exceptionally high carbon and chromium split produces an incredibly dense concentration of hard alloy carbides. It excels at resisting severe surface metal-on-metal abrasion.
High Compressive Strength: Under load, it maintains excellent dimensional rigidity, preventing tools from deforming ("sinking") under high tonnage pressure.
Low Impact Toughness (High Brittleness): Because of its massive carbide network, X205Cr12KU is sensitive to heavy mechanical impact or flexing. It should not be used where high shock loads are present (prefer S7 or A2 instead).
Low Dimensional Distortion: It demonstrates outstanding volume stability during standard oil quenching operations, preserving precise geometries.
X205Cr12KU round and flat bars are typically machined down for long-run mass-production tooling where maintaining sharp cutting edges or tight tolerances over millions of cycles is required:
Blanking and Punching Dies: Highly specified for cutting thin metal sheets, paper, and abrasive composite laminates.
Thread Rolling Dies: Used for precision cold-forming of fastener threads.
Drawing & Deep Drawing Tools: Mandrels, rings, and forming rolls where sliding wear is extreme.
Brick & Ceramic Mold Liners: Resists the severe grinding action of packed powders or abrasive geological clays.
Slitting Knives & Shear Blades: Designed exclusively for processing thin, non-impact stock materials.
Soft Annealing: Heat uniformly to $800^circtext{C} - 850^circtext{C}$, hold for 23 hours, and perform slow furnace cooling down to $600^circtext{C}$ ($le 10^circtext{C}$ to $20^circtext{C}$ per hour). Supplied delivery hardness is max 248 HBW.
Stress Relieving: For complex machined profiles, heat to $600^circtext{C} - 650^circtext{C}$, hold for 2 hours, and cool in air.
Hardening: Preheat slowly to $550^circtext{C} - 600^circtext{C}$, then ramp up to $960^circtext{C} - 980^circtext{C}$.
Quenching: Quench in oil or warm salt baths ($500^circtext{C} - 550^circtext{C}$). For small cross-sections, automated vacuum gas nitrogen quenching can be applied.
Tempering: Temper immediately after quenching. Standard low-temperature tempering occurs around $180^circtext{C} - 220^circtext{C}$ to yield a near-maximum working hardness of 58 to 64 HRC.
If you are replacing X205Cr12KU or auditing a material test report (MTR), it corresponds directly to these global names:
Germany (DIN / EN): X210Cr12 / W.Nr. 1.2080
United States (AISI / ASTM): D3 (UNS T30403)
Japan (JIS): SKD1
United Kingdom (BS): BD3
France (AFNOR): Z200C12
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