What Exactly Is 1.2713 Steel?
1.2713 is the European material number (DIN/EN designation) for a nickel-chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloy tool steel officially named 55NiCrMoV6. It belongs to the hot work tool steel category — steels engineered to maintain strength, hardness, and dimensional stability under repeated high-temperature and high-load conditions.
The designation 55NiCrMoV6 encodes its key alloying signature: approximately 0.55% carbon, a dominant nickel content of 1.4–1.8%, combined with chromium (0.50–0.80%), molybdenum (0.15–0.25%), and vanadium (0.05–0.15%). This precise multi-element combination delivers outstanding toughness, deep hardenability, and excellent resistance to thermal fatigue — making 1.2713 indispensable across heavy industrial tooling applications worldwide.
1.2713 is also written as 55 NiCrMo V6, 55NiCrMoV.6, or simply 55NiCrMoV. All refer to the identical material, defined under DIN EN ISO 4957 for tool steels and DIN 17350.
At Jiangsu Liangyi Co., Limited, we have manufactured 1.2713 forged parts for customers in more than 50 countries since 1997. Our factory in Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China produces custom 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) open die forgings and seamless rolled rings, ranging from 30 kg forged bars to 30,000 kg heavy die forgings — all manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality management, with Mill Test Certificate (MTC) EN 10204 3.1 issued for every order; 3.2 is available upon request.
Chemical Composition of 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6)
The chemical composition of 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) is tightly controlled during melting and forging per DIN EN ISO 4957. Each alloying element plays a specific functional role in the steel's final performance profile:
Table 1 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) Chemical Composition — DIN EN ISO 4957 Standard
| Element | Symbol | Range (%) | Primary Functional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.50 – 0.60 | Core hardness & strength after heat treatment |
| Nickel | Ni | 1.40 – 1.80 | Key driver of toughness & impact resistance |
| Chromium | Cr | 0.50 – 0.80 | Hardenability, oxidation resistance, wear performance |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | Hot strength, creep resistance, grain refinement |
| Vanadium | V | 0.05 – 0.15 | Carbide formation, wear resistance, grain boundary control |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.50 – 0.80 | Deoxidation, hardenability enhancement |
| Silicon | Si | 0.15 – 0.40 | Deoxidation, minor hardness contribution |
| Phosphorus | P | ≤ 0.030 | Impurity — controlled to preserve toughness |
| Sulfur | S | ≤ 0.030 | Impurity — controlled to preserve ductility |
Why Nickel Is the Critical Differentiator in 55NiCrMoV6
At 1.4–1.8%, nickel is the highest-content alloying element in 1.2713 and defines the steel's fundamental character. Nickel stabilises the austenite phase, lowers the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, and dramatically improves impact toughness. This is precisely why 1.2713 resists cracking and chipping in shock-loading environments — heavy hammer forging lines and high-tonnage press operations — where leaner hot work tool steels fail prematurely.
Chromium and molybdenum together improve hardenability (enabling large cross-sections to through-harden in oil quench) and sustain strength above 400°C. Vanadium forms hard vanadium carbides that pin grain boundaries and improve wear resistance and fatigue life even at concentrations as low as 0.05%.
For critical tooling, specify ESR (Electro Slag Remelting) grade 55NiCrMoV6. ESR removes non-metallic inclusions, reduces segregation, and produces a far more uniform microstructure across large cross-sections — directly translating to longer tool life and more predictable heat treatment response. Standard EAF+LF+VD is acceptable for less demanding applications.
Mechanical Properties & Hardness of 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6)
The mechanical performance of 1.2713 steel is directly controlled by heat treatment condition. The table below shows achievable hardness values at each thermal processing stage, along with the most appropriate application for each condition:
Table 2 1.2713 Hardness Values by Heat Treatment Condition
| Condition | Temperature | Hardness | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Annealed | 670 – 700°C | ≤ 241 HB | Machining state — pre-hardening delivery |
| As-Quenched | 830 – 870°C (oil) | Max 62 HRC | Maximum hardness — always must be tempered |
| Q+T @ 300°C | 300°C temper | 53 HRC | High wear / moderate shock applications |
| Q+T @ 400°C | 400°C temper | 49 HRC | Balanced wear and toughness tooling |
| Q+T @ 450°C | 450°C temper | 47 HRC | Hot forging dies — standard operating range |
| Q+T @ 500°C | 500°C temper | 44.5 HRC | High-shock hammer and press dies |
| Q+T @ 550°C | 550°C temper | 42 HRC | Heavy impact applications, toughness priority |
| Q+T @ 600°C | 600°C temper | 37.5 HRC | Maximum toughness & shock resistance |
Key Performance Characteristics of 1.2713 Steel
| Property | Rating | Technical Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Impact Toughness | Exceptional | High Ni content (1.4–1.8%) prevents brittle fracture under shock loads |
| Wear Resistance | Very Good | Vanadium carbides provide hard-phase reinforcement throughout matrix |
| Hot Hardness (≤450°C) | Good | Cr-Mo alloying retains hardness effectively up to ~450°C service temp |
| Hardenability | Excellent | Large cross-sections achieve full through-hardening in oil quench |
| Machinability (Annealed) | Good | Precise CNC machining achievable in soft-annealed (≤241 HB) condition |
| Dimensional Stability | Very Good | Stable geometry under repeated thermal cycling in service conditions |
"The combination of nickel-driven toughness with chromium-molybdenum hardenability makes 1.2713 one of the most versatile hot work tool steels ever engineered — bridging the gap between shock resistance and wear performance in demanding industrial tooling."— Jiangsu Liangyi Technical Engineering Team, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu, China
Complete Heat Treatment Guide for 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6)
Correct heat treatment is essential to unlocking the full performance capability of 55NiCrMoV6 steel. Our in-house heat treatment facility at Jiangyin handles all stages — soft annealing, stress relieving, hardening, and tempering — with fully traceable records for every production batch.
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Step 1: Soft Annealing670 – 700°C · Furnace Cool · Result: ≤241 HB
Heat the 1.2713 forging slowly and uniformly to 670–700°C, hold at temperature, then cool slowly in the furnace. This achieves a maximum Brinell hardness of ≤241 HB — reducing the 55NiCrMoV6 material to its softest state for optimum machinability. This is the standard delivery condition for parts requiring precision CNC machining prior to final hardening.
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Step 2: Stress Relieving~650°C · Hold 1–2 Hours · Air Cool
After rough machining the 1.2713 forging, heat to approximately 650°C and hold for 1–2 hours before air cooling. This step removes residual machining stresses accumulated during cutting, preventing dimensional distortion during the subsequent hardening cycle — critical for maintaining tight tolerances on precision hot work tooling.
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Step 3: Hardening / Austenitizing830 – 870°C · Oil Quench · Result: 57–62 HRC
Heat the 1.2713 forging uniformly to 830–870°C (austenitizing temperature), soak for complete carbide dissolution proportional to section thickness, then immediately oil-quench. As-quenched hardness reaches 57–62 HRC. The part must be transferred to the tempering furnace immediately after quenching to relieve quench stresses and prevent cracking of the 55NiCrMoV6 steel.
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Step 4: Tempering200 – 700°C · Application-Dependent · 37.5–53 HRC
Temper the 1.2713 forging at the temperature that achieves your required working hardness — from 53 HRC for high-wear applications (tempering at 300°C) down to 37.5 HRC for maximum shock resistance (600°C). For large sections above 300 mm cross-section, double tempering is strongly recommended to ensure fully stable, uniform hardness throughout the 55NiCrMoV6 forging.
For 55NiCrMoV6 forgings with cross-sections above ~300 mm, always specify double tempering. The first cycle transforms martensite and relieves quench stresses; the second cycle tempers any freshly formed martensite from the first, ensuring stable, uniform hardness throughout the entire cross-section of the 1.2713 forging.
1.2713 Steel International Standard Equivalents
1.2713 / 55NiCrMoV6 is defined primarily under the European DIN EN system, but equivalent grades exist across all major international standards. Use this cross-reference table for accurate material specification across different markets:
Table 3 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Designation | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN / EN | 1.2713 / 55NiCrMoV6 | Europe | Primary standard — ISO 4957, DIN 17350 |
| AISI / ASTM | AISI L6 | United States | Closest US equivalent; slight composition variation |
| JIS | SKT4 | Japan | Japanese Industrial Standard equivalent |
| GOST | 5ХНМ (5KhNM) | Russia / CIS | Still widely used across CIS industrial markets |
| NF | 55NCDV7 | France | French national standard equivalent |
| BS | BH 224/5 | United Kingdom | British Standard equivalent |
| ČSN | CSN 19662 | Czech / Slovak | Central European designation |
While the grades above are considered "equivalent" to 1.2713 / 55NiCrMoV6, exact composition limits differ slightly between standards. For critical tooling, always specify the governing standard on your drawing (e.g., DIN EN ISO 4957) and request a full MTC EN 10204 3.1/3.2 confirming conformance — not just a grade name match.
1.2713 vs 1.2344 (H13) — Which Hot Work Tool Steel to Choose?
The two most common hot work tool steels in heavy industry are 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) and 1.2344 (H13 / X40CrMoV5-1). They serve overlapping but distinct application ranges. This comparison helps engineers select the correct grade:
1.2713 — 55NiCrMoV6
- Superior impact toughness (high Ni content)
- Better for large hammer and press forging dies
- Ideal for warm and cold forging tooling
- Better thermal fatigue resistance at ≤450°C
- More cost-effective for large-section forgings
- Preferred in mining and heavy machinery shafts
1.2344 (H13) — X40CrMoV5
- Higher Cr for superior oxidation resistance
- Better hot hardness retention above 550°C
- Preferred for aluminium/zinc die casting tools
- Excellent thermal conductivity for cycling
- Standard HPDC tooling grade worldwide
- Widely available in standard sizes globally
Simple selection rule: If tooling faces severe mechanical shock with moderate heat (hammer forging dies, press anvils, heavy shafts) → choose 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6). If tooling faces repeated thermal cycling above 500°C with lower mechanical shock (aluminium die casting, extrusion dies) → choose H13 / 1.2344. Also consider 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) — the higher-alloyed sibling offering marginally greater toughness for the most demanding hot forging applications.
Industrial Applications of 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) Steel
The combination of toughness, hardenability, and hot strength makes 1.2713 the preferred material across a wide range of heavy industries globally. The categories below reflect where our forged 55NiCrMoV6 parts are routinely supplied to customers in Europe, North America, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia:
Drop forging dies, closed-die inserts, press anvils and die holders for automotive, aerospace and general engineering hot forging production lines.
Anvil blocks, hammer heads, backing plates and ejectors for mechanical and hydraulic forging presses operating under high cyclic impact loads.
Piercers, mandrels, liners and trimming plates for copper alloy and light metal (aluminium, magnesium) extrusion lines.
Gear shafts, pinion shafts, spindles and large axles for mining reducers, wind turbine gearboxes and industrial machinery.
Chuck parts, bearing rollers, stamping die sets and mould bases — particularly where fatigue resistance and dimensional accuracy are critical.
High-pressure valve components, downhole tool blanks and API-compliant forged fittings for upstream oil and gas equipment.
Crusher jaw components, drill rod subs, wear blocks and impact-loaded forgings for mining machinery in severe abrasive environments.
Flanges, bearing races, slewing rings produced by ring rolling in 1.2713 — up to 5,000 mm diameter, parts to 30,000 kg.
Real-World Case Study: Automotive Die Life Extended by 30%
A leading European automotive parts manufacturer was experiencing forging die replacement every 18,000 press cycles using standard die steel. After switching to our ESR-melted 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) forged die holders and inserts, die service life extended to approximately 23,500 cycles — an improvement of around 30% based on customer feedback. This directly reduced customer downtime and replacement tooling costs. The superior performance is attributable to ESR 55NiCrMoV6's more uniform carbide distribution, significantly reducing the crack initiation sites that cause premature die failure in continuous hot forging production. View more project references →
Buyer's Checklist: Sourcing 1.2713 Forging Parts from China
When procuring 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) forgings from Chinese manufacturers, verify the following criteria to protect your supply chain and ensure full material conformance:
At Jiangsu Liangyi, we fulfill every checklist item in-house with full vertical integration — from electric arc furnace (EAF) melting and electro slag remelting (ESR) through open die forging, ring rolling, heat treatment, CNC machining, and NDT inspection. Every 1.2713 forging order includes a traceable MTC EN 10204 3.1 covering the full manufacturing chain; EN 10204 3.2 (third-party witnessed) is available upon request. 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) forging parts — specifications, pricing and free quotation →
Frequently Asked Questions About 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) Steel
1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) is used primarily as a hot work tool steel for forging dies, press and hammer anvils, extrusion piercers, trimming plates, die holders, and bearing components. It is also widely used for heavy industrial shafts in mining and power transmission equipment. Its high nickel content makes it especially suitable where severe mechanical shock combined with elevated temperature is present — conditions that would cause brittle failure in leaner hot work grades.
AISI L6 is the closest US equivalent to 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6), sharing the same Ni-Cr-Mo-V alloy system and application profile. However, exact composition limits differ slightly between DIN EN and AISI specifications. For ASTM compliance projects, always specify conformance to AISI L6 limits on your drawing and request an MTC confirming compliance to both standards from your supplier.
1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) has a marginally higher nickel content than 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) and generally provides slightly better toughness in very large forging cross-sections. 1.2713 is the more economical and widely available grade; 1.2714 is preferred when maximum toughness is the overriding design requirement. In most standard applications, the two grades are interchangeable. Jiangsu Liangyi supplies both grades with full MTC documentation.
In the as-quenched condition (hardened at 830–870°C and oil-quenched without tempering), 1.2713 can reach a maximum of approximately 62 HRC. However, as-quenched parts are extremely brittle and must always be tempered before use. The highest practical hardness for service is approximately 53 HRC, achieved by tempering at 300°C. Most hot forging die applications use 42–49 HRC (achieved by tempering at 500–450°C respectively).
At Jiangsu Liangyi, the minimum order quantity is 30 kg per piece for 1.2713 forging parts. We support both single-piece prototypes and full mass production orders. Individual parts range from 30 kg to 30,000 kg, with seamless rolled rings in 1.2713 available up to 5,000 mm in diameter. Reference price starts from USD 2.00/kg; exact pricing depends on dimensions, heat treatment requirements, testing standards, and order quantity.
Standard lead time is 15–25 business days for most 1.2713 (55NiCrMoV6) forging orders, covering melting, open die forging, heat treatment, NDT inspection, and documentation. Rush orders may be accommodated in 10–15 days for urgent projects. Lead time varies depending on part weight, forging shape complexity, heat treatment condition, and the type of inspection certificates required. Contact our team with your drawing for an exact schedule.