1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) is a DIN EN nickel-chromium-molybdenum-vanadium oil- and air-hardening hot work die steel with a maximum as-quenched hardness of 58 HRC, Charpy impact toughness ≥27 J at 20 °C, and tensile strength of 1,200–1,380 MPa in quenched and tempered condition. Its superior through-hardenability — achievable in cross-sections up to 400 mm — and high toughness make it the preferred specification for large forging dies, hot shear blades, aluminum extrusion punches, and plastic injection mold blocks. Its international equivalent is AISI L6 tool steel. It is produced and exported globally by ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturers such as Jiangsu Liangyi Co., Limited (Jiangyin City, China, founded 1997).
What Is 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Steel?
1.2714 is the DIN EN material number for 55NiCrMoV7, a nickel-chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steel. The designation encodes its composition: approximately 0.55% carbon, alloyed with Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), and Vanadium (V). Its nearest international equivalent is AISI L6 tool steel, though 1.2714 carries slightly higher nickel content (1.50–1.80% vs AISI L6's typical 1.25–2.00%) and is the dominant designation in European and Asian toolmaking.
Unlike chromium-based hot work steels such as H13 (1.2344) or H11 (1.2343) — engineered primarily for thermal fatigue resistance — 1.2714 is built around three priority properties: maximum toughness, superior through-hardenability in large cross-sections, and high compressive strength. These make it the reference specification when:
- Section sizes exceed 200 mm and uniform hardness to the core is required
- The die or tool must resist brittle fracture under shock loading (hammer forging, punch presses)
- Surface finish requirements are extreme — mirror-polish plastic injection mold cavities
- Thermal cycles are moderate but the cost of a single crack is catastrophic (large forging dies, hot shear blades)
1.2714 achieves a maximum as-quenched hardness of 58 HRC — higher than H13 (54 HRC max) — while maintaining superior impact toughness ≥27 J Charpy at 20 °C. This combination is achieved by the elevated carbon enabling high hardness while the 1.50–1.80% nickel prevents the embrittlement that carbon alone would cause.
Standard Designations and International Equivalents
1.2714 is listed under different national designations across markets. The table below provides verified cross-references. When sourcing, always require that the mill test certificate (MTC) lists both the material number 1.2714 and full chemical analysis — not just a trade name or regional equivalent.
| Standard System | Grade / Designation | Primary Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN EN (Europe) | 1.2714 / 55NiCrMoV7 | Europe, China, India | Primary designation — used throughout this guide |
| AISI/ASTM (USA) | L6 Tool Steel | North America | Closest equivalent; composition ranges differ slightly |
| JIS (Japan) | SKT4 | Japan, Taiwan | Functionally comparable composition |
| GB/T (China) | 5CrNiMo | China | Widely produced domestically; verify chemistry |
| GOST (Russia) | 5ХНМ | Russia, CIS | Functionally equivalent to 1.2714 |
| BS (UK) | BH224 / BH225 | United Kingdom | Older British standard equivalents |
1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Chemical Composition — Element Analysis
Every performance property of 1.2714 is a direct consequence of its chemical design. Below is the full DIN EN composition with an engineering explanation of each alloying element's role.
Full Chemical Composition Table (DIN EN)
| Element | Symbol | DIN EN Range (wt.%) | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.50 – 0.60 | Hardness, strength |
| Silicon | Si | 0.10 – 0.40 | Deoxidization, strength |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.60 – 0.90 | Hardenability, machinability |
| Nickel | Ni | 1.50 – 1.80 | Toughness, hardenability |
| Chromium | Cr | 0.80 – 1.20 | Hardenability, wear resistance |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 0.35 – 0.55 | Temper resistance, hot strength |
| Vanadium | V | 0.05 – 0.15 | Grain refinement, wear resistance |
| Phosphorus | P | Max 0.030 | Controlled impurity (embrittlement) |
| Sulfur | S | Max 0.030 | Controlled impurity (inclusions) |
Mechanical Properties and Physical Data of 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7)
Values below represent 1.2714 in standard commercial delivery condition: quenched and tempered (Q+T) to 38–42 HRC (370–430 HB) — the hardness range for most forging die and mold block applications. Properties vary with tempering temperature and section size. Always verify against your specific MTC.
| Property | Test Standard | Typical Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | ASTM E8 / ISO 6892-1 | 1,200 – 1,380 | MPa |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | ASTM E8 / ISO 6892-1 | 1,050 – 1,200 | MPa |
| Elongation (A) | ASTM E8 | ≥ 10 | % |
| Reduction of Area (Z) | ASTM E8 | ≥ 40 | % |
| Charpy Impact Toughness (KV) | ISO 148-1 / ASTM E23 | ≥ 27 | J at 20 °C |
| Hardness (Q+T, 38–42 HRC) | ASTM E10 | 370 – 430 | HB |
| Hardness (Softened / Annealed) | ASTM E10 | ≤ 248 | HB |
| Max As-Quenched Hardness | ASTM E18 | Up to 58 | HRC |
| Elastic Modulus (E) | — | 210 | GPa |
| Density | Room temp. | 7.80 | g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity | At 200 °C | ~28.5 | W/(m·K) |
| Thermal Expansion Coeff. | 20–200 °C | 13.0 × 10⁻⁶ | /K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | Room temp. | ~460 | J/(kg·K) |
Hardness vs. Tempering Temperature
After oil or air quenching, 1.2714 is double-tempered to the required working hardness. Reference values below for a 300 mm diameter section mid-point. Larger sections show slightly lower core hardness; verify all values on your MTC.
1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Heat Treatment — Step-by-Step Protocol
Correct heat treatment is the most critical processing step for 1.2714 forgings. Improper soak times, quench media, or tempering sequences produce hardness gradients, residual stresses, and premature tool failure. Below is the complete protocol applied to all 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) forging parts produced by Jiangsu Liangyi.
Skipping the second temper leaves un-tempered martensite and residual brittleness in the steel. Under shock loading — as occurs in every forging die press cycle — this can cause catastrophic brittle fracture. Both tempering cycles are non-negotiable for 1.2714 forgings in any die application.
Forging Temperature Guidelines
| Stage | Temperature | Engineering Note |
|---|---|---|
| Homogenization Soak | 1,050–1,150 °C | Ensures uniform austenite before deformation; dissolves carbide segregation |
| Start Forging (Max) | 1,100 °C | Above this: overheating, grain coarsening, risk of grain-boundary burning |
| Finish Forging (Min) | 850 °C | Below this: dual-phase region; forging cracking risk increases sharply |
| Post-Forging Cooling | Slow (sand or furnace) | Prevents thermal cracking and hydrogen embrittlement in large forgings |
Through-Hardenability: Why 1.2714 Outperforms in Large Cross-Sections
Through-hardenability is the ability of a steel to achieve a uniform martensitic microstructure — and therefore consistent hardness — throughout the full cross-section of a large forging after quenching. Most tool steels show significant hardness drop from surface to core as section size increases, because the core cooling rate is too slow to fully suppress bainite or pearlite transformation.
In 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7), the synergistic combination of Ni (1.5–1.8%) + Cr (0.8–1.2%) + Mo (0.35–0.55%) shifts the TTT (Time-Temperature-Transformation) curves significantly to the right. The steel tolerates slower core cooling rates and still transforms to martensite. Practical result: uniform 38–42 HRC hardness across round section diameters up to 400 mm.
- Core hardness difference vs. H13: typically +5 to +8 HRC in favor of 1.2714 at 300 mm section
- Consistent tensile strength, yield strength, and impact toughness from surface to core
- Predictable service life across the full depth of die inserts, not just the surface wear zone
- Qualification for die blocks >1,000 kg where H13 shows significant core softening
When the smallest cross-section dimension of your forging die, mold block, or extrusion punch exceeds 200 mm, through-hardenability becomes the dominant material selection criterion. 1.2714 is the correct choice. H13's practical through-hardening limit is approximately 150 mm.
Industrial Applications of 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Forgings
The 1.2714 properties profile — 58 HRC max hardness, ≥27 J toughness, superior through-hardenability, 1,200–1,380 MPa tensile strength — maps precisely onto applications where other steels fail. All product forms — round bars, rings, die blocks, and shafts — are available as custom 55NiCrMoV7 hot work die steel forgings from Jiangsu Liangyi.
1.2714 vs H13 vs H11 vs 1.2767: Hot Work Die Steel Comparison
Engineering-based technical comparison of 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) against the three most common alternative hot work tool steels. Note: star ratings below indicate relative technical performance levels (Excellent / Good / Moderate / Limited) based on published DIN EN material standards and industry engineering practice — they are not customer reviews or testimonials.
| Property | 1.2714 / 55NiCrMoV7 | H13 / 1.2344 | H11 / 1.2343 | 1.2767 / 45NiCrMoV16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI Equivalent | L6 | H13 | H11 | — |
| Carbon (%) | 0.50–0.60 | 0.32–0.45 | 0.33–0.41 | 0.40–0.50 |
| Nickel (%) | 1.50–1.80 | None | None | 3.80–4.30 |
| Chromium (%) | 0.80–1.20 | 4.75–5.50 | 4.75–5.50 | 1.20–1.50 |
| Max Quenched Hardness | 58 HRC | 54 HRC | 54 HRC | 54 HRC |
| Toughness | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Hot Wear Resistance | Good | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Through-Hardenability | Superior | Good | Moderate | Superior |
| Polishability (ESR grade) | Very Good | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent |
| Large Section (>200 mm) | Superior | Moderate | Limited | Superior |
| Relative Cost | Medium | Medium | Medium–Low | High |
Choose 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) When:
- Section size exceeds 200 mm and uniform through-hardening to 38–42 HRC is required
- Maximum toughness is the primary requirement — shock loading, hammer forging, brittle fracture prevention
- Highest hardness ceiling (up to 58 HRC) is specified — higher than H13's 54 HRC max
- Large plastic mold blocks requiring good polishability (use ESR grade for VDI 0–3)
Choose H13 (1.2344) When:
- Highest thermal fatigue resistance is required — die casting, high-cycle aluminum extrusion die faces
- Section size is below 150 mm where H13's hardenability is adequate
- Hot wear resistance is the dominant failure mode rather than brittle fracture
Melting Processes for 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Forgings
Die performance of any 1.2714 forging is directly linked to starting steel cleanliness and homogeneity. The five available melting routes in ascending quality order:
| Process Route | Code | Key Benefit | Quality Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Arc Furnace | EAF | Standard, cost-effective | Standard | Die holders, backing plates |
| EAF + Ladle Refining + Vacuum Degassing | EAF+LF+VD | Reduced H₂, N₂, O₂ gas content | Enhanced | Standard die blocks, shear blades |
| EAF + Electro Slag Remelting | EAF+ESR | Reduced inclusions <0.5 μm, finer microstructure, improved polishability | Premium | Precision die inserts, mirror-polish mold blocks, extrusion punches |
| EAF + Protective Atmosphere ESR | EAF+PESR | ESR benefits + protection from reoxidation | High Premium | High-performance dies, premium mold applications |
| Vacuum Induction Melting + PESR | VIM+PESR | Maximum purity, tightest composition control, best isotropy | Ultra Premium | Aerospace tooling, mirror-polish VDI 0 grade molds |
Inspection Standards and Quality Control for 1.2714 Forgings
A compliant 1.2714 forging MTC 3.1/3.2 must include: heat number, chemical heat analysis, product analysis, heat treatment certification with actual time-temperature records, hardness results, mechanical test results, ultrasonic test report, and dimensional inspection report. Partial MTCs indicate incomplete inspection.
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM E8 / ISO 6892-1 | Tensile testing — Rm, Rp0.2, elongation, reduction of area |
| ASTM E10 | Brinell hardness — surface and mid-section |
| ASTM E18 | Rockwell hardness HRC — as-quenched condition |
| ISO 148-1 / ASTM E23 | Charpy impact toughness — V-notch at 20 °C |
| ASTM A578-S9 | 100% straight-beam ultrasonic examination — internal soundness |
| ASTM E112 | Average grain size — target ASTM 7/8 uniform fine grain |
| EN 10204 Type 3.1 / 3.2 | Mill Test Certificate — 3.2 allows third-party witness inspection |
How to Specify and Source 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) Forgings from China
When preparing an RFQ for 1.2714 forgings, specify all of the following to receive accurate pricing and guaranteed compliance:
- Material: DIN EN 1.2714 / 55NiCrMoV7 — state both number and name
- Melting process: EAF / EAF+LF+VD / EAF+ESR / EAF+PESR / VIM+PESR
- Shape: Forged round bar, flat bar, disc, ring, block, shaft, or custom per drawing
- Dimensions & tolerances: Provide 2D drawing or 3D model; state all critical dimensions
- Weight per piece: Determines press, heat treatment, and logistics qualification
- Delivery condition: Soft-annealed (≤248 HB), Q+T to specified HRC range, or as-forged
- Inspection: UT class per ASTM A578 (Level B/C/D), MTC type 3.1 or 3.2, third-party witness
- Trade term: EXW Jiangyin / FOB Shanghai or Ningbo / CIF / CFR / DDP
Jiangsu Liangyi Co., Limited manufactures custom 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) open die forgings and seamless rolled rings from 30 KGS to 30,000 KGS per piece, with complete in-house melting, forging, heat treatment, machining, and MTC 3.1/3.2 inspection. Standard lead time: 15–30 days. Export to 50+ countries. Contact: +86-13585067993.