H13 1.2344 SKD61 Hot Work Mould Steel Flat and Square

High level of toughness and ductility

Good resistance to abrasion at both low and high temperatures

Good high-temperature strength

High through-hardening properties

Very limited distortion during hardening

Good resistance to thermal fatigue

FORGING: 

Preheat slowly to 750°C then increase the temperature more rapidly to 1050-1100 °C. Do not forge below 850°C. It is essential to cool the H13 slowly after forging, either in a furnace or in vermiculite.

ANNEALING: 

Soak thoroughly at 840-860°C before furnace cooling at a maximum rate of 20°C per hour down to 600°C followed by cooling in air.

STRESS RELIEVING: 

When tools made from H13 steel are heavily machined or ground, the relief of internal strains is advisable before hardening to minimise the possibility of distortion. Stress relieving should be done after rough machining. To stress relieve, heat the component carefully to 700°C, allow a good soaking period (two hours per 25mm of ruling section). Cool in the furnace or in air. The tools may then be finish machined before hardening.

HARDENING: 

Preheat to 780-820°C. Soak thoroughly, then increase rapidly to the final hardening temperature of 1000-1030°C. When the H13 steel has attained this temperature, soak for approximately thrity minutes. Cool in air. Large sections may be quenched in oil. To reduce scaling or decarburisation, we recommend isothermal molten salt bath treatment. Preheat in salt at 780-820°C then transfer to salt bath standing at 1000-1030°C. Soak and quench into salt standing at 500-550°C. Allow to equalise, withdraw and cool in air. Alternatively, this tool steel may be vacuum hardened or pack hardened. Tools should be tempered as soon as they become hand warm.

TEMPERING: 

Heat uniformly to the required temperature allowing a soaking time of two hours per 25mm of ruling section. Withdraw from the furnace and allow to cool in air. A second tempering is strongly recommended, the H13 steel being allowed to cool to room temperature between tempers. The usual tempering range is 530-650°C depending on the hardness requirements and the operating temperature of the tool.