H13 steel, also known as AISI/SAE H13 or 1.2344, is a type of tool steel that belongs to the family of chromium hot-work steels.
Let is see the speech video from Kang Aijun, chief expert of Fushun Special Steel, the first international drafter of die-casting mold steel,his introduction about H13 Steel:
Here are some key characteristics and applications of H13 steel:
Composition:
- Carbon (C): 0.32–0.45%
- Chromium (Cr): 4.75–5.50%
- Molybdenum (Mo): 1.10–1.75%
- Vanadium (V): 0.80–1.20%
- Silicon (Si): 0.80–1.20%
- Manganese (Mn): 0.20–0.50%
- Phosphorus (P): 0.03% max
- Sulfur (S): 0.03% max
Key Properties:
- Hot Work Tool Steel: H13 is classified as a hot-work tool steel, making it suitable for applications involving high temperatures during forming and shaping processes.
- Excellent Toughness: It exhibits good toughness and resistance to thermal fatigue, which is crucial for withstanding the thermal cycling experienced in hot work applications.
- High Hardenability: H13 has high hardenability, allowing for effective heat treatment and achieving the desired hardness for specific applications.
- Good Wear Resistance: The alloying elements, particularly chromium and molybdenum, contribute to its wear resistance, making it suitable for tooling applications.
- Versatile: H13 is versatile and is used in various applications such as forging dies, die casting dies, extrusion tooling, hot shear blades, and plastic mold tooling.
Applications:
- Die Casting: H13 is commonly used for die casting dies due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and resist thermal fatigue.
- Extrusion Dies: It is employed in extrusion tooling for shaping materials such as aluminum, brass, and plastics.
- Forging: H13 is utilized in forging applications, including die forging and closed-die forging.
- Plastic Molding: The steel is suitable for plastic mold tooling where resistance to thermal and mechanical stresses is essential.
- Hot Work Tools: H13 is employed in a variety of hot work tools, including hot forging dies, hot shear blades, and other high-temperature applications.
The selection of H13 steel for specific applications is based on its combination of high-temperature properties, wear resistance, and toughness, making it a valuable material in the tool and die industry.