H13 Tool Steel is a versatile chromium-molybdenum hot work steel that is widely used in hot work and cold work tooling applications. The hot hardness (hot strength) of H13 resists thermal fatigue cracking which occurs as a result of cyclic heating and cooling cycles in hot work tooling applications. Because of its excellent combination of high toughness and resistance to thermal fatigue cracking (also known as heat checking) H13 is used for more hot work tooling applications than any other tool steel.
Because of its high toughness and very good stability in heat treatment, H13 is also used in a variety of cold work tooling applications. In these applications, H13 provides better hardenability (through hardening in large section thicknesses) and better wear resistance than common alloy steels such as 4140.
Also available as Electro-Slag-Remelted (ESR) and Vacuum-Arc-Remelted (VAR) products as well. The remelting processes provide improved chemical homogeneity, refinement of carbide size, and the associated improvements in mechanical properties and fatigue properties.
APPLICATIONS: Inserts, cores, and cavities for die casting dies, die casting shot sleeves, hot forging dies, extrusion dies, and plastic mold cavities and components that require high toughness and excellent polishability.
