PN-86/H-85023 – Alloy tool steel for cold work – grades
Nature of the standard and scope
The PN-86/H-85023 standard specifies requirements for alloyed cold-work tool steels . It covers steels containing alloying elements such as chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and manganese, used to manufacture tools operated at temperatures up to 200°C. These materials are characterized by high hardness after hardening, good abrasion resistance, improved hardenability, and dimensional stability after heat treatment.
The standard was part of a set of national regulations for tool steels. It supplemented PN-84/H-85020 (carbon tool steels for cold work), PN-86/H-85021 (alloy tool steels for hot work), and PN-86/H-85022 (high-speed steels). In industrial practice, it was in force until the beginning of the 21st century, when it was replaced by PN-EN ISO 4957:2002.
History and destiny
The PN-86/H-8502 standard was a continuation of the earlier PN-H-85023:1977 edition. The 1986 version introduced a new grade system and updated requirements for metallurgical purity, alloying element content, and heat treatment parameters. Its provisions were used in the steelmaking, toolmaking, precision engineering, and metal forming industries.
Technical scope
The standard specifies the chemical compositions, quality requirements, and mechanical properties for eighteen grades of alloy steel. Two basic delivery conditions are provided: soft-annealed and hardened and tempered. It also specifies hardness in the annealed condition, minimum hardness values after heat treatment, and acceptance testing conditions. For all grades, hardening and tempering ranges are defined to ensure the required martensitic structure is achieved.
General characteristics
Steels according to PN-H-85023:1986 are characterized by high carbon and chromium content, with many grades containing molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten. They achieve hardnesses in the 58–65 HRC range and exhibit very good abrasion resistance. Grades with lower carbon content (e.g., NZ2, NZ3) are more impact-resistant, while high-chromium steels (e.g., NC10, NC11, NW5) offer maximum abrasive wear resistance. Typical applications include dies, dies, knives, punches, cutters, rings, and cold-working forming tools.
Status and Succession
Following the entry into force of the European standard PN-EN ISO 4957:2002, the domestic grades from PN-86/H-85023 received equivalents in the EN and DIN systems, while retaining their original designations in Polish technical documentation. Designations such as NC11LV, NW5, NZ3, and NMV still appear in steelwork catalogs and workshop practice.
Steel marking system according to PN-86/H-85023
The PN-H-85023:1986 standard adopts a logical and clear system of symbols for alloyed cold-work tool steel grades. These symbols consist of letters and numbers that indicate the intended use, the main alloying elements, and the order in which the grade was developed.
Cold-working tool steels according to PN-86/H-85023
NV – EN/ISO: 1.2834 (105V)
Vanadium steel with good elasticity and abrasion resistance. Used for knives, cutters, and flexible cutting tools.
MSE – EN/ISO: 1.2842 (90MnCrV8)
Molybdenum-vanadium tool steel with high hardenability and moderate impact strength. For cutting dies, measuring tools, and taps.
NMWV – EN/ISO: 1.2825 (95MnWCr5)
A molybdenum-tungsten-vanadium tool steel that is highly hardenable and temper-resistant. For precision cutting and forming tools.
NC4
A chromium tool steel with a moderate carbon content. Good abrasion resistance and dimensional stability after hardening.
NC5
Chromium steel with a higher carbon content. High hardness after quenching and resistance to abrasive wear, used in stamping tools.
NC6
High-hardness, abrasion-resistant chrome steel with good dimensional stability. Used for cutting dies and industrial knives.
NCMS
A chromium-molybdenum steel with a moderate carbon content, easily machinable and resistant to cracking. Used in stamping tools.
NCV1
Chrome-vanadium steel with high hardenability and abrasion resistance. Good dimensional stability after heat treatment.
NC11 – EN/ISO: 1.2080 (X210Cr12)
High-chromium tool steel with very high hardness and wear resistance. Used for cutting dies, punches, and knives.
NC11LV – EN/ISO: 1.2379 (X153CrMoV12)
High-chromium steel with added molybdenum and vanadium. Excellent abrasion resistance, high dimensional stability, the most popular cold-work steel.
NCLV
A chromium-molybdenum-vanadium tool steel with good impact strength and moderate abrasion resistance. For heavy-duty cutting dies and molds.
NW1
A tungsten tool steel, hard and abrasion-resistant, with good hardenability. Used for cutters and dies.
N.W.C.
Tungsten-chromium tool steel, very wear-resistant, with high structural stability after tempering.
NW9
Tungsten tool steel with increased heat and abrasion resistance, used for working with hard metals and alloys.
NZ2 – EN/ISO: 1.2542 (45WCrV8)
Tungsten-chromium impact steel combines abrasion resistance with high ductility. For impact tools and dies.
NZ3
Tungsten-chromium tool steel with very good impact strength and fracture resistance. For forming tools, dies, and punches.
NPW
A chromium-tungsten tool steel with moderate hardness and good hardenability. Used for medium-duty tools and stamping molds.