105WC13 is the French AFNOR designation for a chromium-tungsten oil-hardening cold-work tool steel, carried in Germany as DIN 105WCr6 and Werkstoffnummer 1.2419. With roughly 1.0% carbon alongside chromium and tungsten in the 1% range, it belongs to the same broad family of lean, oil-hardening tool steels as AISI's O-series, though its specific alloy balance — leaning more on tungsten and chromium than manganese — puts it closer to grades like AISI O7 than to O1. The tungsten addition contributes to wear resistance through fine, hard carbides distributed through the matrix, while the moderate chromium content is enough to support a full oil quench without demanding the more aggressive quench media that higher-alloy cold-work steels need.

That balance of decent wear resistance, reliable oil hardenability, and manageable machinability in the annealed state makes 105WC13 a practical choice for cutting tools, punches, forming dies, and other cold-work tooling that needs a harder, more wear-resistant edge than a plain carbon steel can offer, without stepping up to the cost and complexity of a heavily chromium-alloyed grade like D2. It machines and grinds reasonably well before hardening and holds a good edge once heat treated.

Note: this grade is sometimes loosely grouped with the AISI O-series oil-hardening tool steels because of its similar carbon level and oil-quench response, but its higher tungsten and chromium content place it closer to AISI O7 than to O1. AISI O1's direct DIN/Wnr equivalent is 100MnCrW4 / 1.2510, a distinct alloy with lower chromium and tungsten — see the O1 reference page for that grade.

In the annealed condition (roughly 200-220 HB) 105WC13 machines comparably to a medium-alloy oil-hardening tool steel: cutting forces are moderate, noticeably higher than a plain carbon steel but well short of what a heavily chromium-alloyed D-series grade demands. The tungsten carbides present are fine and modest in volume compared to a high-wear grade, so they add some abrasiveness to the cut without turning machining into a carbide-fighting exercise. Standard carbide tooling handles this steel comfortably in the soft, pre-hardened condition.

Most 105WC13 tooling is roughed and semi-finished in the annealed state, then oil-hardened and finish-ground to size, so the demanding machining work happens before heat treatment. On the rare occasions where light machining is done post-hardening, expect noticeably higher cutting forces and reduced tool life, and favor rigid, well-supported setups with conservative feeds. Coolant helps manage heat and surface finish, and maintaining a sharp, unworn edge reduces the risk of work hardening the surface on finishing passes.

Speeds below are for the annealed condition (~200-220 HB), which is how this steel is machined prior to oil hardening.

Milling

Turning, parting, and grooving grade recommendations for 105WC13 are not on file for this material yet. Browse the full turning/parting collection below for a grade suited to your hardness and finish requirements.