Abstract: Comparatively analyzed here in the article are the separate microstructures and mechanical properties of the cold-drawing die-serving chrome-plated Cr12MoV alloy,nitrided Cr12MoV alloy and the carbide materials.Also described are the wear properties and the mechanisms of the said three materials.Relevant production practice demonstrates that the wear rate of the carbide is 19 times higher than the chrome-plated Cr12MoV alloy,and 45 times higher than the nitrided Cr12MoV alloy.Moreover the service life of the carbide die is approximately 10 times longer than the chromeplated Cr12MoV-made outer die.