H 13

Steel name: H13

Diagram No.: 100
Type of diagram: TTT
Mat. No. (Wr. Nr.) designation: ~1.4828
AISI/SAE designation: H13
DIN designation: ~ X15CrNiSi20-12
Chemical composition in weight %: 0.40% C, 0.40% Mn, 1.00% Si, 5.25% Cr, 1.35% Mo, 1.00% V
Steel group: Hot work die and plastic mould steels
Note: No data

The graph shows a continuous cooling test in which the austenitizing temperature was
approximately 1040°C (1900°F). It shows the effect of intermediate cooling rates on the
microstructure and toughness of H13 tool steel austenitized at 1075°C (1970°F). (a)
Continuous cooling transformation (CCT diagram) shows variation in microstructure with
varying cooling rates. (b) Variation in toughness as a function of carbides ejected from
austenite. Hardness was maintained at a constant value.

Hot-work die steels containing 5% Cr are normally used (H13 is the most common in the United States)
because they have:
•  A good combination of toughness and strength for safety and service
•  Good hardenability in thick sections
•  Good hot hardness and strength to resist cyclic stressing at operating temperatures up to 400 °C
(750 °F)
•  Good resistance to tempering during service that gradually lowers the surface hardness and the
fatigue strength
Carbide precipitation, other than that produced during tempering, is known to be deleterious to the
fatigue life of H13 tool steel. Fast quenching rates required to suppress intermediate precipitation of
carbides (such as proeutectoid grain-boundary carbide, pearlite, or bainite) also produce large thermal
gradients within the tool. Fast quenching rates can cause distortion or even cracking. The larger the tool,
the greater the risk of cracking.
C Si Cr Mo V
Provedor 1 0.32-0.45 0.8-1.25 4.75-5.50 1.10-1.75 0.80-1.20
Provedor 2 0.40 1.00 5.20 1.30 0.95
Provedor 3 0.40 5.3 1.40 1.0
2