Overview
H13 Tool Steel is the world’s most widely used chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steel, renowned for its exceptional combination of hot hardness, wear resistance, thermal fatigue resistance, toughness, hardenability, and dimensional stability.
H13 is the industry standard material for:
- Die Casting Dies
- Plastic Injection Molds
- Forging Dies
- Extrusion Dies
- Hot Shear Blades
- Aluminum Casting Tooling
- Aerospace Tooling
- High-Temperature Industrial Components
Compared with H11, H13 provides higher wear resistance and hot hardness. Compared with S7, H13 offers significantly better high-temperature performance while maintaining excellent toughness.
Due to its versatility and outstanding thermal performance, H13 is considered one of the most important tool steels in modern manufacturing.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | H13 Tool Steel |
| Standard | ASTM A681 |
| UNS Number | T20813 |
| Material Family | Chromium Hot Work Tool Steel |
| Density | 7.80 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Typical Supply Condition | Annealed, Pre-Hardened |
| Standard Forms | Round Bar, Flat Bar, Plate, Block, Forgings |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| 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) | ≤0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.030 |
The higher vanadium content compared with H11 significantly improves wear resistance, hot hardness, and temper resistance.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 800–1000 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 600–800 MPa |
| Hardness | 180–235 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 210 GPa |
Hardened & Tempered Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 44–54 HRC |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Toughness | Excellent |
| Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding |
Hot Working Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hot Hardness | Outstanding |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | Excellent |
| Heat Checking Resistance | Outstanding |
| Service Life | Exceptional |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.80 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1420–1460°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 28 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.55 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 11.7 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 460 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Moderate |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Humid Environment | Moderate |
| Outdoor Environment | Moderate |
| Marine Environment | Poor |
| Chemical Environment | Poor |
H13 is not a stainless steel and should be protected when exposed to corrosive environments.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Gas Nitriding
- Ion Nitriding
- QPQ Treatment
- PVD Coating
- TiN Coating
- CrN Coating
- Hard Chrome Plating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| TIG Welding | Good |
| MIG Welding | Good |
| Arc Welding | Good |
| Laser Repair Welding | Excellent |
| Tool Steel Repair Welding | Excellent |
H13 is widely used in die repair applications due to its excellent weldability compared with many other tool steels.
Recommended:
- Preheat: 300–450°C
- Controlled Cooling
- Post-Weld Tempering
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| EDM Machining | Excellent |
| Wire EDM | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| O1 Tool Steel | Excellent |
| A2 Tool Steel | Good |
| H13 Tool Steel | Good |
| H11 Tool Steel | Good |
| D2 Tool Steel | Fair |
H13 is commonly supplied in pre-hardened condition for mold manufacturing.
Heat Treatment
Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 840–870°C |
| Cooling Method | Furnace Cool |
Preheating
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 815–870°C |
Hardening
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 1010–1040°C |
| Cooling Medium | Air, Gas, or Oil |
Tempering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 540–650°C |
| Cycles | Double or Triple Temper Recommended |
Hardness After Heat Treatment
| Condition | Hardness |
|---|---|
| Annealed | 180–235 HB |
| Hardened | 52–56 HRC |
| Hardened & Tempered | 44–54 HRC |
Nitriding
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Hardness | 900–1200 HV |
| Case Depth | 0.10–0.60 mm |
| Wear Resistance | Outstanding |
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM / AISI (USA) | H13 |
| UNS | T20813 |
| GB/T (China) | 4Cr5MoSiV1 |
| EN (Europe) | X40CrMoV5-1 |
| DIN (Germany) | 1.2344 |
| JIS (Japan) | SKD61 |
| ISO | X40CrMoV5-1 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Tool Steel Plate | Yes |
| Mold Blocks | Yes |
| Forgings | Yes |
| Pre-Hardened Blocks | Yes |
| Precision Ground Stock | Yes |
Typical Applications
Die Casting Industry
- Aluminum Die Casting Dies
- Zinc Die Casting Dies
- Magnesium Die Casting Dies
- Die Inserts
Plastic Mold Industry
- Injection Mold Cavities
- Mold Cores
- Hot Runner Components
- Mold Inserts
Forging Industry
- Closed Die Forging Dies
- Hammer Dies
- Press Forging Dies
Extrusion Industry
- Aluminum Extrusion Dies
- Copper Extrusion Dies
- Mandrels
- Tool Holders
Aerospace Industry
- Hot Forming Dies
- Structural Component Tooling
- Precision Forging Tools
General Engineering
- Hot Shear Blades
- Hot Punches
- High Temperature Wear Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Precision Grinding | Outstanding |
| EDM Machining | Excellent |
| Wire EDM | Excellent |
| Heat Treatment | Outstanding |
| Nitriding | Outstanding |
| Weld Repair | Excellent |
Advantages
Outstanding Hot Hardness
Maintains strength and hardness at elevated temperatures.
Exceptional Thermal Fatigue Resistance
Highly resistant to heat checking and thermal cracking.
Excellent Wear Resistance
Superior to H11 in abrasive applications.
Good Toughness
Provides a balanced combination of strength and impact resistance.
Excellent Hardenability
Suitable for large tooling sections.
Long Tool Life
Industry standard for high-volume die casting and molding operations.
Limitations
Moderate Corrosion Resistance
Requires protective coatings in corrosive environments.
More Expensive Than Carbon Tool Steels
Higher alloy content increases material cost.
Requires Proper Heat Treatment
Performance depends heavily on heat treatment quality.
Lower Toughness Than H11
Not ideal when maximum crack resistance is required.
Comparison with Other Tool Steels
| Property | H13 | H11 | S7 | D2 | A2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Hardness | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate | Poor | Poor |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Outstanding | Excellent |
| Toughness | Excellent | Higher | Exceptional | Moderate | Excellent |
| Thermal Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate | Poor | Poor |
| Die Casting Performance | Outstanding | Excellent | Limited | Unsuitable | Unsuitable |
Comparison with Hot Work Tool Steels
| Material | Hardness | Hot Strength | Thermal Fatigue Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| H13 | 44–54 HRC | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| H11 | 44–52 HRC | Excellent | Excellent |
| H21 | 50–56 HRC | Outstanding | Good |
| H10 | 42–50 HRC | Excellent | Excellent |
| SKD61 | 44–54 HRC | Outstanding | Outstanding |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Annealed Finish
- Forged Finish
- Ground Finish
- Precision Machined Finish
Functional Finishes
- Hardened Finish
- Nitrided Finish
- Precision Ground Finish
- EDM Finish
Protective Finishes
- QPQ Treatment
- Gas Nitriding
- PVD Coating
- TiN Coating
- CrN Coating
- Hard Chrome Plating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is H13 tool steel?
H13 is a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work tool steel designed for high-temperature tooling applications requiring wear resistance and thermal fatigue resistance.
What is H13 steel used for?
Typical applications include:
- Die Casting Dies
- Plastic Injection Molds
- Forging Dies
- Extrusion Dies
- Hot Shear Blades
What is the equivalent material to H13?
Common equivalents include:
- DIN 1.2344
- SKD61
- X40CrMoV5-1
- 4Cr5MoSiV1
What is the difference between H13 and H11?
| Property | H13 | H11 |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | Higher | Lower |
| Hot Hardness | Higher | Lower |
| Toughness | Slightly Lower | Higher |
| Die Life | Longer | Excellent |
What hardness can H13 achieve?
Typically:
- Hardened: 52–56 HRC
- Hardened & Tempered: 44–54 HRC
Is H13 suitable for die casting?
Yes. H13 is considered the industry standard material for aluminum and zinc die casting dies.
Can H13 be nitrided?
Yes. Nitriding significantly improves wear resistance and extends die life.
Why is H13 widely used for molds?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Hot Hardness
- Outstanding Thermal Fatigue Resistance
- Good Toughness
- Excellent Wear Resistance
- Long Service Life
Is H13 suitable for plastic injection molds?
Yes. H13 is widely used for high-volume plastic molds, especially those exposed to elevated temperatures.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for H13 steel?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Mold Manufacturing
- Die Manufacturing
- EDM Processing
- Precision Grinding
- Heat Treatment
- Nitriding
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production