DIN 1.2344 | ASTM H13 Tool Steel | SKD61

DIN 1.2344 | ASTM H13 Tool Steel | SKD61

DIN 1.2344 chromium hot-work steel is widely used in hot and cold work tooling applications. Due to its excellent combination of high toughness and fatigue resistance DIN 1.2344 is used more than any other tool steel in tooling applications.

Designation by Standards

Chemical Composition (%)

The following table shows the chemical composition of ASTM H13 tool steels.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of ASTM H13 tool steels are given in the following table.

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of ASTM H13 tool steels are tabulated below.

Thermal Properties

The following table shows the thermal properties of ASTM H13 tool steels.

Fabrication and Heat Treatment

Machinability

The machinability rate of ASTM H13 tool steels is nearly 75% of that of the W group tool steels.

Forming

DIN 1.2344 tool steels are formed by using conventional methods.

Welding

DIN 1.2344 tool steels are readily weldable.

Heat Treatment

DIN 1.2344 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.

Forging

DIN 1.2344 tool steels are forged at 1079°C (1975°F). For this type of steels, forging below 898°C (1650°F) is not preferable.

Cold Working

Cold working may be carried out on DIN 1.2344 tool steels using conventional methods.

Annealing

DIN 1.2344 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 in ASTM H13 tool steels from 538 to 649°C (1000 to 1200°F) to obtain Rockwell C hardness of 53 to 38. Double tempering can also be performed in these steels for every one hour at the preferred tempering temperature. Practice may vary with size and application, but is usually performed in the range of maximum secondary hardness or higher. Double tempering is recommended. The results below is DIN 1.2344 that was air quenched from 1800°F and tempered for 4 hours at various temperatures.

Applications

DIN 1.2344 tool steels are suitable for forming extrusion dies. 

DIN 1.2344 is chromium hot work tool steels which are widely used in hot and cold work tooling applications. Due to H13 tool steel excellent combination of high toughness and fatigue resistance, AISI H13 hot work tool steel is used more than any other tool steel in tooling applications.