Tool Steel

H-13

H-13 Hot Work Tool Steel Data Sheet

H-13 is the most popular and most versatile, hot work tool steel, providing a good balance of toughness, heat check resistance, and high temperature strength, in addition to moderate wear resistance. It may be used for tool temperatures up to about 1000 F, with brief exposures up to 1100 F.

Chemical Composition

Carbon	0.40%
Manganese	0.35%
Chromium	5.20%
Molybdenum	1.30%
Vanadium	0.95%
Silicon	1.00%

Typical Applications

Extrusion Tools	Diecasting Dies
Forging/Heading Dies	Mandrels
Plastic Molds	Ejector Pins
Powder Compaction Hardware

Thermal Treatments

Preheat : 1100/1250F (595/675C), equalize, 1350/1450F (775/790C), equalize.

Austenize : 1825/1875F (995/895C), 30/45 minutes at temperature.

Quench : Air, positive pressure vacuum to 150F (65C), Interrupted oil to 150F(65C). NOTE: A minimum quench rate of about 25F per minute from 1800F down to about 1200F is recommended to achieve maximum impact toughness.

Temper : 1000/1200F (540/650C), hold 2 hours at temperature, air cool. Temper twice.

Cryogenic Treating : Refrigeration treatments may improve long term dimensional stability by transforming retained austenite. Refrigeration treatments should generally be performed after the first temper, and must be followed by a temper.

Hardness and Impact Toughness Data
Air cooled from 1850F(970C) Double tempered.

Tempering
Temperature
Deg. F	Deg. C
As quenched
1000	540
1050	560
1100	590
1125	605
1150	620
1200	650

Toughness
Hardness	Charpy	C-Notch
HRC	Ft. Lbs.	Joules
54	–	–
52	10	14
50	10	14
47	10	24
41	18	24
36	18	–
30	–	–

Surface Treatments

Because of its high tempering temperatures (>1000 F), H-13 may be treated by most surface treating processes, including conventional and ion nitriding, titanium nitriding, and other coatings or treatments. Nitrided surface hardness will be about 60/65 HRC.

Annealing

A. Heat to 1600F (820C), hold 2 hours, slow cool 25F (0C)/hour maximum) to 1200F (650C), air cool.
OR
B. Heat to 1600F (820C), hold 2 hours, cool to 1400F (760C), hold 6 hours, air cool to room temperature.
Typical annealed hardness: 192/235 BHN.

Stress Relieving

Annealed Material: Heat to 1200/1250F(650/675C), hold two hours, cool in still air.
Hardened Material: Heat to 25F(15C) below original tempering temperature, hold two hours, cool in still air.

Welding

Use H-11 or other hot work tool steel filler material.

Annealed Material:Preheat to 800/1000F(430/540C). Maintain above 700F(370C) during welding. Reanneal or temper 1400F(760C) for 6 hours after welding.

Hardened Material: Preheat to 800/1000F (430/540C) minimum. Maintain above 700F(370C) during welding. Cool to 150F(65C) after welding. Temper 25F(15C) below original tempering temperature. (1000F(540C) Minimum)

Physical Properties

Modulus of Elasticity

30psix10(6)	(207 GPa)
Density	0.280 lb/in3	(7861 kg/M3)
Thermal Conductivity	15.5 BTU/hr./ft./F	29 W/m/ °K)