12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder Description
12Cr9Ni is a martensitic stainless
steel powder with 12% chromium (Cr) and 9% nickel (Ni), featuring low carbon
content (≤0.03% C) to enhance toughness and reduce carbides. Alloying
additions like titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) enable precipitation hardening,
while molybdenum (Mo) improves thermal stability. After aging (450-475°C), it
achieves tensile strengths over 1,500 MPa and balanced toughness due to its
martensitic matrix with reverted austenite phases, which mitigate brittleness.
Fine precipitates (e.g., Ni3Ti) enhance wear resistance.
The steel maintains mechanical
stability up to 450-500°C and offers moderate corrosion resistance from
chromium, though less than austenitic grades like 316L. Its low carbon content
reduces stress corrosion cracking risks in alkaline environments. Optimized for
laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), the powder ensures crack-free fabrication with
high density (>99.9%) via controlled solute segregation. Post-processing
includes solution treatment (~1,000°C) and aging to maximize strength and
dimensional stability. It outperforms conventional stainless steels in
strength-toughness balance and additive manufacturing compatibility.
12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder Applications
1. Tooling and Die Manufacturing
Injection Molds: Used for high-precision plastic injection
molds requiring wear resistance and dimensional stability under cyclic thermal
stresses.
Extrusion Dies: Ideal for aluminum or polymer extrusion
tools due to its high-temperature strength (up to 500°C) and resistance to
abrasive wear.
2. Aerospace Components
Turbine Blades and Engine Parts: Suitable for critical
components exposed to elevated temperatures and mechanical loads, leveraging
its thermal stability and fatigue resistance.
High-Stress Fasteners: Used in aircraft assemblies for high
tensile strength (>1,500 MPa) and corrosion resistance.
3. Medical Devices
Surgical Instruments: Biocompatible variants are employed
for scalpels, forceps, and orthopedic tools, benefiting from low cytotoxicity
and sterilization compatibility.
Dental Implants: Processed via additive manufacturing (LPBF)
for custom-shaped implants with high surface finish and structural integrity.
4. Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Complex Geometries: Enables crack-free 3D printing of
intricate molds, lightweight aerospace brackets, and topology-optimized parts
due to optimized solute segregation (Ti/Al) and high-density (>99.9%)
fabrication.
5. Automotive Industry
High-Performance Engine Parts: Used in turbocharger
components and valve systems for its heat resistance and oxidation stability.
Lightweight Tooling: Reduces the weight of stamping dies
while maintaining durability in high-volume production.
6. Energy Sector
Valve Components: Deployed in oil and gas pipelines or
nuclear reactors for corrosion resistance in mildly aggressive environments.
Thermal Power Plant Parts: Withstands cyclic thermal loads
in turbine housings and exhaust systems.
12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder Packaging
Our products are packaged in customized cartons of various
sizes based on the material dimensions. Small items are securely packed in PP
boxes, while larger items are placed in custom wooden crates. We ensure strict
adherence to packaging customization and the use of appropriate cushioning
materials to provide optimal protection during transportation.

Packaging: Carton, Wooden Box, or Customized.
Kindly review the packaging
details provided for your reference.
Manufacturing Process
1. Testing Method
(1) Chemical Composition Analysis - Verified using techniques
such as GDMS or XRF to ensure compliance with purity requirements.
(2) Mechanical Properties Testing - Includes tensile strength,
yield strength, and elongation tests to assess material performance.
(3) Dimensional Inspection - Measures thickness, width, and
length to ensure adherence to specified tolerances.
(4) Surface Quality Inspection - Checks for defects such as
scratches, cracks, or inclusions through visual and ultrasonic examination.
(5) Hardness Testing - Determines material hardness to confirm
uniformity and mechanical reliability.
Please refer to the SAM testing procedures for detailed information.
12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder FAQs
Q1. How does it compare to 17-4PH or 316L stainless
steel?
vs. 17- 4PH: Higher toughness and better printability (lower
hot-cracking risk).
vs. 316L: Superior strength and wear resistance but lower
corrosion resistance in harsh environments.
Q2. Is it suitable for corrosive environments?
Offers moderate corrosion resistance (due to Cr content) but
requires coatings for prolonged exposure to acids or chlorides.
Q3. What AM technologies are compatible?
Optimized for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) due to
controlled solute segregation (Ti/Al) and high packing density.
Performance Comparison Table with Competitive Products
Property
|
12Cr9Ni Die Steel
Powder 25
|
17- 4PH Stainless Steel
10
|
316L Stainless Steel 8
|
Chemical Composition
|
12% Cr, 9% Ni, ≤0.03%
C, Ti/Al/Mo additions
|
15-17.5% Cr, 3-5% Ni,
3-5% Cu, ≤0.07% C
|
16-18% Cr, 10-14% Ni,
2-3% Mo, ≤0.03% C
|
Tensile Strength (MPa)
|
1800 ±50
|
1300-1450
|
485-620
|
Yield Strength (MPa)
|
1700 ±50
|
1100-1300
|
170-310
|
Elongation (%)
|
6 ±2
|
10-15
|
≥40
|
Hardness (HRC)
|
40-45 (after aging)
|
35-45
|
≤95 (HB)
|
Max Service Temp. (°C)
|
450-500
|
300
|
870
|
Corrosion Resistance
|
Moderate (Cr-based
passivation)
|
Moderate
(acid-resistant)
|
Excellent (Mo-enhanced)
|
AM Compatibility
|
>99.9% density
(LPBF, crack-free)
|
Limited (high
hot-cracking risk)
|
Good (common in AM)
|
Key Strengths
|
High strength,
AM-friendly, balanced toughness
|
High strength,
cost-effective
|
Superior corrosion
resistance
|
Related Information
1. Common Preparation Methods
The production of 12Cr9Ni die steel
powder utilizes gas atomization to create spherical particles optimized for
additive manufacturing. In this process, the alloy (composed of 12% Cr, 9% Ni,
≤0.03% C, and trace Ti/Al/Mo) is melted and atomized using high-pressure inert
gas (Ar or N₂), yielding powders with a controlled size range of 15-45 μm,
sphericity >95%, and oxygen content below 100 ppm. These powders are
specifically engineered for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), requiring optimized
parameters such as laser power (200-350 W), scan speed (800-1,200 mm/s), and
layer thickness (20-40 μm) to achieve crack-free parts with >99.9% density.
Post-processing involves a
two-stage heat treatment: solution treatment at 1,000-1,050°C for 1-2 hours to
homogenize the microstructure, followed by aging at 450-475°C for 4-6 hours to
precipitate hardening phases like Ni₃Ti, resulting in tensile strengths of
~1,800 MPa and hardness of 40-45 HRC. Quality assurance includes rigorous
powder characterization (size distribution via laser diffraction, chemical
analysis by ICP-OES/XRF) and mechanical validation (tensile testing per ASTM
E8, SEM/TEM microstructure analysis). This method ensures scalability, AM
compatibility, and tunable mechanical properties for applications in tooling,
aerospace, and medical devices.