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H13 STANDARD VALUES
C
Si
Mn
P
S
Cr
Mo
V
X40CrMoV5-1
50 HRC - 56 HRC
max. 229HB
100MnCrW4
57-62 HRC
max. 229 HB
H13 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
H13, a hot work tool steel, can be water cooled, oil or air hardened and has a good toughness. H13 is a 5% chromium tool steel that hardens in air and is versatile enough for a broad range of hot and cold work uses. The addition of vanadium increases the resistance to abrasion and imparts superior properties at elevated temperatures.
H13 is often used in cold work tools because of its exceptional toughness, even though it might slightly reduce wear resistance. Apart from its high hot wear resistance and thermal cracking resistance, it also has high polishability, suitable for lens and cutlery molds.
For even better toughness and the highest purity and homogeneousness use H13ESR (ESR = Electro Slag Remelt).
Although it provides a certain level of resistance to corrosion, if corrosion resistance is a primary requirement, it would be recommended to choose a stainless steel grade or apply a protective layer.
Hot work steel like H13 can be exposed to continuous high temperatures. They have a high strength, hardness and thermal stability, toughness and wear resistance for a longer service life.
Cold working H13 is easier done in its annealed condition, heat treated, it is challenging due to its hardness and parts may work harden which in turn may cause breakage and wear.
To relieve introduced stresses and give the parts their final properties they should be heat treated afterwards.
H13 TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
At room temperature the density of H13 is 0.279 lb/in3 (7.8g/cm3).
When the point has been passed it will be deformed permanently or even break. The range for the H13 stainless steel is at approx. 239 KSI (approx. 1650 MPa).
The following table shows the heat conductivity for H13 steel in the annealed and hardened condition.
| Value annealed | Value hardened | By temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 27.2 | 25.5 | 68 °F |
| 30.5 | 27.6 | 662 °F |
| 33.4 | 30.3 | 1292 °F |
| 10-6m/(m • K) | At a temperature of |
|---|---|
| 10.9 | 68 - 212 °F |
| 11.9 | 68 - 392 °F |
| 12.3 | 68 - 572 °F |
| 12.7 | 68 - 752 °F |
| 13.0 | 68 - 932 °F |
| 13.3 | 68 - 1112 °F |
| 13.5 | 68 - 1292 °F |
The specific heat capacity of H13 at room temperature is at 0.460J/g-°C (0.110BTU/lb-°F). This value shows how much heat is needed to heat 1lb of material by 1 Fahrenheit.
| Value | At a temperature of |
|---|---|
| ~0.543 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 68 °F |
| ~0.638 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 212 °F |
| ~0.705 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 392 °F |
| ~0.782 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 572 °F |
| ~0.868 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 752 °F |
| ~0.96 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 932 °F |
| ~1.06 (Ohm*mm²)/m | ~ 1112 °F |
The relationship between stress and strain of steel is described in the modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus) and can be found in the table below with the according values and temperatures.
| Value | At a temperature of |
|---|---|
| ~ 210.000 MPa | ~ 68 °F |
| ~ 205.000 MPa | ~ 212 °F |
| ~ 198.000 MPa | ~ 392 °F |
| ~ 191.000 MPa | ~ 572 °F |
| ~ 182.000 MPa | ~ 752 °F |
| ~ 173.000 MPa | ~ 932 °F |
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY – THAT IS OUR $MART FLAT!
H13 PROCEDURE
Lower the temperature of the material gradually. Decrease it by 50-68°F (10-20°C) per hour. Continue until it reaches 1112°F (600°C). After it gets to this temperature, it can be cooled more in the air.
Keep them at that temperature for 1-2 hours. This should be done in a neutral atmosphere. Then cool the parts at a controlled rate in air. Cooling H13 down slowly is essential as not to introduce new stresses to the work pieces.
To control decarburization, use a controlled atmosphere furnace or pack the work piece in an inert material. Heat uniformly to a temperature of 1868-1940°F (1020-1060°C) and hold for 15-30 minutes and quench, following this up immediately with a tempering.
H13 is typically cooled in air, although it can also be cooled using other substances. When determining the cooling method, factors such as the application, part shape, and size should be taken into account.
• Air
• Oil
• Vacuum
• Hot bath
Immediately after hardening, heat the material slowly to a tempering temperature for a minimum of 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness. Tempering temperature should be at least 50°F (10°C) higher than the expected maximum operating temperature of the workpiece.
Work pieces should be double tempered; a third tempering cycle can be advantageous to relieve stress.
H13 can be sub-zero treated. Instead of tempering the material after hardening it is cooled to sub-zero temperatures and held to transform the retained austenite to martensite.
Benefits, for H13, apart from a refined carbide structure are increased hardness and wear resistance as well as improved dimensional stability. To relieve possible newly introduced stresses, the sub-zero treatment should be followed up by tempering as explained above.
The following diagram shows the micro changes over time at different temperatures which are important during heat treatment. They show the optimum conditions for the processes such as hardening, annealing and normalizing.
The following diagram shows the structural changes at micro levels over time at a constant temperature. It shows at what temperatures the different phases, e.g., perlite, martensite and bainite start to form.
H13 SURFACE TREATMENT
H13 PROCESSING
H13 can be machined in the annealed or hardened condition by EDM.
Tempering after EDM might be needed as heat affected zones can have different properties to the base material.
EDM can give the H13 tool steel a very smooth surface with the right settings and conditions.
H13, like other tool steels, will hold its size best when quenched from the accurate hardening temperature. Overheated, the material tends to shrink after tempering and should therefore be avoided.
Cool small and simple parts slowly in lime. Larger parts should be cooled down in a heated furnace at a uniform temperature of 1450°F (788°C), then turn the furnace off and let the parts cool down or use insulating material to cool it slowly.
Note, this is not an anneal, annealing should be done after the forgings are cooled down.
Good results can be achieved when welding tool steel, if the proper precautions are taken during welding (increased working temperature, joint preparation, choice of filler metals and the welding procedure).
If the parts are being polished or photo-etched, it is necessary to work with a suitable electrode type of matching composition.
H13 APPLICATION OPTIONS
H13 steel has a multitude of good properties which makes this tool steel not only a good choice for high temperatures but in combination with its thermal fatigue and abrasion resistance can be used for casting and extrusion tools, as well as for dies, hot shear blades and stamping tools to name just a few.
• Forging tools and dies
• Hot shear knives
• Hot extrusion tools
• Extrusion press tools
• Press tools
• Block receivers
• Die casting tools
• Light metal die casting
• Press mandrels
• Press dies
• Piecer plugs
• Screw production
• Rivet production
• Bolts production
• Ejectors
• Plastic molds
H13 CONCLUSION
Although this steel is better suited for hot work, it can also be cold worked. H13 has high temperature stability, good resistance to thermal fatigue and good toughness and wear resistance.
- Good high-temperature strength
- High hot wear resistance
- High thermal shock resistance
- Very good toughness
- Can be easily eroded and nitrided
- Water coolable
- Fire crack resistant
H13 ALTERNATIVES
Are you looking for an alternative steel grade?
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With the ABRAMS STEEL GUIDE, you can obtain an alternative or equivalent steel grade with just a few clicks.
H13 DATASHEET
Download the technical data sheet in PDF format here.
The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.