Materials database

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steel with outstanding toughness. 1.7% Ni provides superior shock resistance and toughness at working temperatures. Hardened to 44–50 HRC. Used where maximum impact resistance is needed: hammer dies, forging dies, drop forge inserts, hot shear blades, plastic mold base plates and large press tools. The standard material for heavy forging dies in the automotive and aerospace forging industry.

Heavy-duty hot work tool steel with high Ni (1.5-1.8%) for exceptional toughness at working hardness. THE forging die material for hammers and presses. Better impact resistance than H13 but lower hot hardness. Also used as backing steel for composite dies. Applications: forging dies, die holders, press tools, shear blades, and heavy-duty punches.

Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel — close relative of H13 with slightly lower C and V. Good hot hardness, thermal fatigue resistance and toughness. Used for forging dies, extrusion tooling, mandrels, and die-casting tools. Often preferred over H13 where higher toughness is needed.

The most widely used hot-work tool steel globally. Excellent combination of hot hardness, toughness, and thermal fatigue resistance. Used for die-casting dies (aluminum, zinc, magnesium), forging dies, extrusion tooling, and hot shear blades.

Tungsten-alloyed hot work tool steel (AISI H21) with 9% W for exceptional high-temperature strength and resistance to tempering. Low thermal conductivity makes rapid cooling unacceptable — tools must be preheated to ~300°C before use. Achieves 44-50 HRC. Used for die casting dies for copper alloys (brass/bronze), hot forging dies, hot extrusion tooling, hot shear blades, and mandrels. The go-to steel for copper alloy die casting where H13 would soften. JIS: SKD5.

Chromium-molybdenum hot work tool steel (AISI H10) with high Mo content for excellent resistance to thermal softening and thermal fatigue. Can be safely water-cooled in service, unlike tungsten hot work steels. Achieves 50-52 HRC. Used for hot forging dies, die casting dies (especially aluminum), hot extrusion tools, hot punches, and hot shear blades. Superior thermal fatigue resistance compared to H11/H13 in continuous high-temperature service above 600°C. EN designation: 32CrMoV12-28.

Chromium hot work tool steel, known as AISI H11. Similar to 1.2344 (H13) but with lower V content (0.30–0.50% vs 0.85–1.15%) giving better toughness at the expense of slightly lower wear resistance. Better suited for applications requiring maximum toughness — large forging dies, die casting dies for light alloys, extrusion tools. Air-hardening to 50–54 HRC. Preferred over H13 when thermal shock resistance is the primary concern.

Premium hot work tool steel — higher Mo (2.7-3.2%) than H13/1.2344 (1.1-1.5%) for superior hot strength and temper resistance. Better thermal fatigue life in demanding die casting. Often specified for aluminum high-pressure die casting where H13 life is insufficient. Used for Al/Mg die casting dies, hot forging dies, and extrusion tools requiring longer life than H13.

THE hot work tool steel — AISI H13 / JIS SKD61. 5% Cr + Mo + V for outstanding thermal fatigue resistance, red hardness above 40 HRC at 600°C, and excellent toughness. Air-hardening — uniform hardness in large sections with minimal distortion. Used for aluminum/zinc die casting dies, extrusion dies, forging dies, hot shear blades, and plastic molds. ESR grade available for critical applications.