Hot Work Tool Steel

Hot Work Steel alloys (e.g., H13/1.2344) withstand 600°C+ temperatures in die-casting, forging, and extrusion tooling. With 0.35-0.45% C, 5% Cr, and tungsten/molybdenum additions, they resist thermal fatigue through secondary hardening (45-55 HRC). The tempered martensite structure combines 1,800 MPa tensile strength with thermal shock resistance. Chromium forms oxidation-resistant carbides, while vanadium enhances creep resistance. Applications include aluminum injection molds, hot shear blades, and press tools requiring cyclic heat stability. Prevents heat checking during rapid cooling phases, outperforming standard tool steels by 2-3× in continuous thermal cycling operations.