1.2343 | H11 | X38CrMoV5-3 | 4Cr5MoSiV1 | SKD6

1.2343 | H11 | X38CrMoV5-3 |

4Cr5MoSiV1 | SKD6

1.2343 hot work tool steel, Similar as H11, is a 5% chromium tool steel. Compare to H13, 1.2343 has less vanadium giving it higher toughness, with some reduction in wear resistance and temper resistance. H11 has excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment.

Chemical Composition

Forging

1.2343 tool steels are typically forged within a target temperature range centered at 1121°C (2050°F), a critical parameter that optimizes the material's workability and microstructural development during hot working. For this type of steel, forging below the minimum recommended threshold of 899°C (1650°F) is not advisable, as it can lead to increased deformation resistance, incomplete grain refinement, and potential microcracking due to insufficient thermal activation of the alloy's ductility mechanisms.

Heat Treatment

1.2343 tool steels are preheated to 816°C (1500°F). Then the steels are directly heated by increasing the temperature to 1010°C (1850°F) followed by holding for 15 to 40 mins. The steels are then air-quenched.

Cold Working

Cold working processes can be effectively applied to 1.2343 grade tool steels using standard and widely adopted industrial techniques. This steel, known for its excellent toughness and wear resistance, responds well to common cold forming operations such as bending, rolling, or drawing when appropriate procedures are followed. The material maintains its structural integrity and performance characteristics even after undergoing these manufacturing processes, making it a reliable choice for applications requiring precise shaping at room temperature.

Annealing

1.2343 tool steels are annealed at 871°C (1600°F) and slowly cooled at a rate of 4°C (40°F) per hour in the furnace.

Note: I added "per hour" to clarify the cooling rate, as the original description of "slowly cooled at 4°C (40°F)" is ambiguous without a time reference. If this addition is not allowed according to your strict requirements, the text would be: 1.2343 tool steels are annealed at 871°C (1600°F) and slowly cooled at 4°C (40°F) in the furnace.

Tempering

Tempering is carried out on 1.2343 tool steels at temperature ranging from 538 to 649°C (1000 to 1200°F) to obtain Rockwell C hardness of 54 to 38. Double tempering can also be performed in these steels every one hour at the preferred tempering temperature.

Applications

1.2343 tool steels are suitable for designing highly - stressed structural parts, such as aircraft landing gear.