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H13 Tool Steel | Chromium Hot-Work Die Steel (1.2344 / SKD61) - Huaxia Steel

Huaxia Steel — Professional Hot Work Tool Steel Supplier

15+ years of experience | ISO 9001 & SGS Certified | Factory-direct pricing | Custom sizes available | Worldwide shipping

What is H13 TOOL STEEL?

AISI H13 tool steel (DIN 1.2344 / JIS SKD61) is the most widely used chromium hot-work tool steel globally. Its balanced composition of 5% chromium, 1.3% molybdenum, and 1% vanadium provides outstanding resistance to thermal fatigue cracking, excellent hot hardness at elevated temperatures (up to 540°C/1000°F), and high toughness. H13 maintains its mechanical properties even after thousands of thermal cycles, making it the industry standard for aluminum die casting dies, extrusion tooling, and hot forging dies.

Huaxia Steel is a premier H13 tool steel supplier, providing material manufactured to ASTM A681, DIN EN ISO 4957, and JIS G4404 standards. We offer H13 in hot-rolled/forged round bars, flat bars, plates, and forged die blocks—all with full mill certification and ultrasonic testing (UT) on larger sections.

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Chemical Composition (wt%)

Element Min (%) Max (%)
Carbon (C) 0.32 0.45
Silicon (Si) 0.80 1.20
Manganese (Mn) 0.20 0.50
Phosphorus (P) 0.030
Sulfur (S) 0.030
Chromium (Cr) 4.75 5.50
Molybdenum (Mo) 1.10 1.75
Vanadium (V) 0.80 1.20

Data per ASTM A681 / equivalent standards (2025/2026 Reference).

Mechanical & Physical Properties

  • Hardness (Annealed): 192-229 HB
  • Hardness (Hardened + Tempered): 44-52 HRC (typical)
  • Max working hardness: 54 HRC
  • Tensile Strength (Hardened): 1,450-1,820 MPa
  • Yield Strength (Hardened): 1,200-1,550 MPa
  • Density: 7.80 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³)
  • Elastic Modulus: 215 GPa (31,200 ksi)
  • Thermal Conductivity (20°C): 24.3 W/m·K

Heat Treatment Guide

Process Temperature Details
Annealing 845-900°C (1550-1650°F) Furnace cool slowly to ~500°C; hardness 192-229 HB
Preheating 815-845°C (1500-1550°F) Essential for thick sections
Austenitizing 995-1040°C (1825-1900°F) Soak time: 30-60 min for first inch + 30 min per additional inch
Quenching Air, oil, or salt bath Cool to 150°F; achieve 52-56 HRC as-quenched
Tempering 540-650°C (1000-1200°F) Double or triple temper; 2-hour cycles; 540°C→52 HRC, 595°C→46 HRC, 650°C→40 HRC

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Common Applications

  • Aluminum die casting dies (cores & cavities)
  • Zinc & magnesium die casting tooling
  • Hot extrusion dies & mandrels
  • Hot forging dies & punches
  • Plastic injection molds (high-wear applications)
  • Hot shear blades
  • Dummy blocks & backers for extrusion
  • Core pins & ejector pins

International Equivalent Grades

Standard / Country Grade Designation Details
USA (AISI/SAE) H13 UNS T20813, ASTM A681
Germany (DIN) 1.2344 X40CrMoV5-1
EU (EN ISO) X40CrMoV5-1 EN ISO 4957
Japan (JIS) SKD61 JIS G4404
China (GB) 4Cr5MoSiV1 GB/T 1299
UK (BS) BH13 BS 4659

Available Forms & Dimensions

Round bars (dia 10-600mm), Flat bars (thickness 5-200mm), Plates (thickness 5-300mm), Forged die blocks up to 2000x1000mm available, ESP (electroslag remelting) quality on request

Custom sizes: Available upon request. Contact us with your specifications for a tailored quotation.

Why Choose Huaxia Steel as Your H13 TOOL STEEL Supplier?

Factory-Direct Pricing

Eliminate middlemen. Our direct mill partnerships ensure competitive pricing on every order, from small prototype quantities to container loads.

Certified Quality

Every shipment includes full mill test certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1). ISO 9001 certified. Third-party SGS inspection available on request.

Custom Processing

Cut-to-size, precision sawing, surface grinding, and heat treatment services. We deliver material ready for your production line.

Fast Global Logistics

Efficient shipping to North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Standard lead time 7-15 days for stock items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum hardness achievable with H13 tool steel?

The maximum hardness depends on the specific grade. After proper heat treatment, typical maximum hardness ranges from 58-67 HRC. Refer to the heat treatment table above for specific tempering curves.

Q: Can H13 tool steel be welded?

Most tool steels can be welded for repair purposes, but it requires proper preheating, low-hydrogen electrodes, and post-weld heat treatment. For high-chromium grades like D2, welding is generally not recommended for structural applications. Always consult the manufacturer’s welding guidelines.

Q: What is the difference between H13 and other tool steel grades?

Each tool steel grade is optimized for specific applications. The key differentiators are wear resistance, toughness, hot hardness, and heat treatment method (air/oil/water). Compare grades based on your specific requirements: wear resistance (D2 > A2 > O1), toughness (S7 > H13 > A2), and hot hardness (M2 > H13 > D2).

Q: How do I order H13 tool steel from Huaxia Steel?

Simply contact us via the form on this page, email, or phone. Provide the grade, dimensions (thickness x width x length or diameter x length), quantity, and any special requirements such as surface finish or heat treatment condition. Our team will respond with a tailored quotation within 12 hours.

Q: What certifications do your tool steel products carry?

All Huaxia Steel tool steel products are supplied with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1) showing chemical composition and mechanical properties. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV) is available upon request at no extra charge for orders above 5 tons.

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