Aug. 25, 2025
H13 tool steel is an air-hardening hot work tool steel and is one of the most widely used steels among all hot work tool steels. Similar to D2 tool steel as a benchmark for cold work tool steels, H13 is the benchmark for hot work tool steels. Compared to H11 tool steel, this steel grade has higher thermal strength and hardness. It can be air-hardened, so it performs well in terms of quenching deformation and residual stress, and has a lower likelihood of surface oxidation. Additionally, it can achieve secondary hardening, has excellent thermal stability, and can effectively resist corrosion from aluminum alloy molten metal.
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Manufacturers widely use this steel grade to produce hot extrusion dies and mandrels, drop hammer forging dies, and forging dies. It is also commonly used for inserts in precision forging machines and die-casting dies for aluminum, copper, and their alloys.
The designation in the U.S. ASTM A681 system is H13, and the name in the American AISI system is AISI H13 steel. Similarly, other national standards use comparable designations, such as ISO 40CrMoV5, Japan/JIS SKD61, USA/UNS T, Germany/DIN X40CrMoV5-1, Germany/W-Nr. 1., and Czech Republic (CSN) , BS (BH13), SS (), ANFOR (Z40CDV5), UNI (X35CrMoV05KU / X40CrMoV511KU), and China GB/T (4Cr5MoSiV1)
H13 tool steel equivalent grades’ composition
H13 mold steel is a hot-work tool steel widely used globally. It is characterized by high strength, high toughness, high hardenability, and resistance to thermal cracking. In particular, it can maintain its strength and hardness at high temperatures. Additionally, it has excellent comprehensive mechanical properties and high tempering stability.
The specific properties depend heavily on the tempering temperature. Here are typical longitudinal mechanical properties when air-cooled from °C ( °F) and tempered:
Key Mechanical Properties (Typical Values at Room Temperature, Double Tempered 2h + 2h)
The H13 steel heat treatment involves several critical steps to achieve the desired properties:
It is easy to forge and is typically forged at temperatures between and °C ( to °F). Before forging, we recommend preheating the steel to 790 to 815°C ( to °F), then uniformly heating it to the required forging temperature.
During forging, the material temperature must not drop below 925°C (°F). If it is about to fall below this temperature, it must be reheated to the required forging temperature.
This material is an air-hardening steel that must be cooled slowly to prevent stress cracking. After forging, the material must be placed in a furnace at 790°C (°F) and held until the temperature is uniform; then cooled slowly.
Following the previous step, the H13 material should undergo spheroidizing annealing, which aims to eliminate stress, enhance the toughness and ductility, and form the required microstructure.
The specific details of the annealing process are as follows: heat the steel to 871°C (°F), hold for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness, then cool at a rate of 14°C (25°F) per hour down to 482°C (900°F), followed by air cooling to room temperature.
Because of the risk of cracking, we generally do not recommend normalizing treatment for H13, especially when a controlled atmosphere furnace does not prevent surface decarburization. However, this normalizing treatment can still improve the uniformity of the material. This step must be performed immediately after spheroidizing annealing.
The specific steps are as follows: preheat to approximately 790 °C ( °F), slowly and uniformly heat to to °C ( to °F), hold for 1 hour per 25 mm (1 inch) of thickness, and then air cool.
The hardening temperature is around °C ( °F). Other sources suggest a range of - °C (- °F), or specifically °C ( °F).
H13 is an air-hardening steel, and we recommend performing a preheating treatment. The purpose is to stabilize the crystalline structure, reduce hardness, increase ductility, improve machinability, promote uniform grain structure, and minimize distortion/cracking. The preheating temperature is 815 °C ( °F). For a 1” (25mm) cube, it should be preheated to 650 °C ( °F) and held for 10 to 15 minutes before setting the furnace for the soaking step. For delicate parts, an additional preheat may be necessary.
After preheating, raise the furnace temperature to its austenitizing temperature of °C ( °F). The soaking process then begins, with the soaking time calculated from the moment the material’s temperature is the same as the furnace temperature. Specific details are as follows: For parts thicker than 1“ (25mm), the soak time is typically half an hour per inch of the smallest cross-section. For smaller parts, specific soak times are provided: 1/8” (3.175mm) for 10-15 minutes, 1/4” (6.350mm) for 15 minutes, 1/2“ (12.70mm) for 20 minutes, 3/4” (19.05mm) for 25-30 minutes, and 1” (25mm) for 30 minutes.
Air quenching can minimize residual stress and reduce thermal shock. While air quenching is the most common method for H13, oil quenching is also used in practice, but it increases internal stresses. The hardness after quenching is 52-54 HRC. During the quenching cycle of the material, the next step of tempering should be performed immediately at a temperature no lower than 66°C/150°F to prevent cracking.
The purpose is to reduce brittleness, transform martensite into a more stable microstructure, improve toughness, relieve stresses while retaining hardness.
We recommend tempering H13 twice or even three times to achieve optimal toughness and extend tool life. The first tempering temperature is 565°C (°F), the second tempering temperature is 550°C (°F), with each cycle lasting 2 hours per inch (25mm) of thickness.
After tempering, the hardness varies with the tempering temperature. For example, as-quenched H13 has a hardness of 52-54 HRC. Tempering at 204°C (400°F) results in 51-53 HRC, while tempering at 538°C (°F) yields 47-48 HRC, and at 621°C (°F), it can be 36-38 HRC. Typical tempering temperatures range from 540-620°C (-°F), producing a stable microstructure that makes the material most suitable for high-temperature applications.
It is essential to avoid tempering H13 at around 500°C (930°F), as this temperature yields the lowest toughness.
H13 steel is readily weldable, especially for repair applications in molds, tools, and dies. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG) is the most suitable welding process for H13 molds, tools, and dies, and can also be performed using an inert gas process or coated electrodes. When welding, the minimum recommended arc voltage and current must be used, and the electrode must be moved slowly in a straight line to minimize heat input. Clean slag frequently and peen the welds while they are still hot (above 370°C or 700°F); never peen a cold weld.
H13 steel is used in high-temperature conditions, where it exhibits excellent resistance to softening, thermal fatigue, and impact. Compared to cold-worked steel, however, it has lower wear resistance. D2 steel, on the other hand, performs exceptionally well in cold-working applications, offering high wear resistance and excellent dimensional stability. Compared to H13, however, D2 has lower toughness and poorer performance in high-temperature conditions.
Here is a side-by-side comparison highlighting their key differences and similarities:
M2 tool steel is primarily used for high-speed cutting, boasting excellent wear resistance and thermal hardness.
The H13 tool steel we supply is available in three shapes: flat bar, block, and round bar. The dimensions of the flat bar range from: width 20–600 mm × thickness 20–400 mm × length 1,000–5,500 mm. The dimensions of the round bar range from a diameter of 20–400 mm × a length of 1,000–5,500 mm. The block dimensions are obtained by cutting the flat bar.
For smaller sizes, such as round bars with a diameter less than 70 mm, we use the hot-rolled process. For sizes greater than 70 mm, we offer forged products.
We also offer the ESR (Electroslag Remelting) process, which is tailored to meet customer requirements. The advantage is better internal microstructure, but it comes at a higher cost. Please contact us for specific requirements.
UT testing: Sep -84 D/d, E/e.
Surface Treatment: original black, peeled, machined/turned, polished, grounded, or milled surface finishes.
Inventory Status: We do not maintain a stock of H13 tool steel. We arrange production based on customer orders.
Delivery time: Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) materials are 30-45 days. ESR materials are approximately 60 days.
Many of our customers choose non-ESR processes when considering cost-effectiveness. Please discuss your specific requirements with us directly.
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AISI H13 is a versatile alloy. It is preferred for applications like hot forging, die casting and extrusion. These require high-temperature steel and die steel. It is widely employed in injection molding and die casting production. More information about the properties, applications, benefits and limitations of AISI H13 is discussed in this article.
H13 steel also refers as DIN 1. is chromium-molybdenum based hot work steel. it is known as high-temperature steel and die steel due to high temperature and abrasion resistance. high hot hardness increases its thermal fatigue cracking resistance and is preferred for tooling applications
The key features of DIN 1. are as follows:
Cutting tools are of different grades based on their chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties. ideal tool steels for machining are O1, M2, D2 and A2. Other important aspects are speed levels. Inappropriate tool selection could reduce the hardness and wear resistance with time. Therefore, it is best to manufacture tool with high-speed steel. The cost of cutting tool is also important to ensure material is suitable enough to result the required performance.
The equivalent grades of AISI H13 steel are:
AISI H13 cost depends on many factors like market rate, suppliers, form of hot work steel, size, quality and processing requirement. The rough estimate of DIN1. is around $-/metric ton.
The pros of AISI H13 or SKD 61 high temperature steel are as:
Along with these advantages, there are few limitations in the application of DIN 1. steel which are as:
AISI H13 steel is used to manufacture injection molds and die-casting because of high h13 material HRC hardness. It is employed in flip cap molds. Other industries also prefer this because of high toughness and wear resistance.
SKD61 has high thermal properties. This makes it perfect for extrusion dies. Extrusion mandrels and cores are also made of AISI H13 due to high heat resistance.
High thermal properties make it useful in hot forging applications. It is also employed in making dies, inserts and other parts requires in hot forging applications.
SKD61 is mostly employed as tooling steel for Aluminum pressure die casting. It is best for hot gripper dies and hot nut tools.
There are also other applications of DIN 1. steel in the production of plastic molds. This material is favorable in applications like die holder blocks, hot press dies and hot work punches.
Chemical composition of AISI H13 material is as:
The table include the chemical composition of AISI H13.
Major alloying elements in SKD61 steel are chromium, vanadium and molybdenum. Cr increases the H13 material HRC hardness of and its toughness. It also increases the corrosion resistance in high temperature steel. Mo increases the hardenability, toughness and strength in DIN 1. steel. vanadium increases the yield and tensile strength in steels.
The preparation process of H13 tool and die steels manipulated by trace nanoparticles: (a) melt, (b) addition and release of nanoparticles, (c) uniform distribution of nanoparticles, (d) casting, (e) steel ingot
The density of AISI H13 at 20℃ is 7.8g/cm3.
The mechanical properties of SKD61 are as follows:
AISI H13 are heat treated to get high performance in terms of high strength, hardness and high impact resistance and toughness.
AISI H13 is pre-heated to 816℃ and then temperature is rose up to ℃. Holding time is 15-40 mins which is then air-quenched to harden the H13 tool steel.
Tempering is normally in the range 550-621℃ in SKD61. The hardness at different tempering temperatures is as follows:
AISI H13 is annealed to ᵒF and then furnace cooled to 900ᵒF at 30ᵒ/hour. Then the material is air cooled.
Recommended temperature for SKD61 heat treatment is 800-℃. The duration to hold the material is around 15-40 mins to get optimum properties.
Depending on the temperature cooling rate and holding time, optimum hardness and toughness can be achieved in SKD61.
Hardness is greatest of concern in SKD61 machining. Carbide tools with coating are recommended to use. Coolant like water soluble coolants help to dissipate heat while machining. Pre and post treatments mat be necessary such as surface finishing or heat treatment.
Challenges in DIN 1. tool steel machining are its high hardness and toughness and high heat generation. It is necessary to select an appropriate cutting tool, cutting parameters like speed levels and using coolant to dissipate generate heat.
On the correlation between processing parameters, plastic deformation, and mechanical property in hard machining of H13 steel.
Welding of SKD61 has limitations. Welds are prone to cracking and therefore, preheating is necessary to maintain suitable interpass temperature. Post welding treatment can reduce the residual stress and cracking risk.
Tuofa CNC machining specializes in tool steel CNC machining. Tuofa offers high-quality steel products to meet the desired criteria of your project. We are specialized in cutting tools, forming tools, injection molding and die steel. Our expertise ensures the right material selection for your project. For more information, please visit: https://www.tuofa-cncmachining.com/
H11 has less vanadium than DIN 1.. H11 has higher toughness but less wear resistance and tempering resistance.
H13 has high hardness and heat resistance. has high toughness.
DIN 1. is suitable for molds and for high-production volume. P20 is more suitable for low production volume of molds and is less costly.
D2 has higher hardness than DIN 1. and is better tool steel.
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