MATERIALIZING VISIONS

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

TOOL STEEL

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

General
Bohler-Uddeholm H13 is a chromium-molybdenumvanadium alloyed steel which is characterized by: Good resistance to abrasion at both low and high temperatures High level of toughness and ductility Uniform and high level of machinability and polishability Good high-temperature strength and resistance to thermal fatigue Excellent through-hardening properties Very limited distortion during hardening.
Typical analysis % Standard specification Delivery condition Color code C 0.39 Si 1.0 Mn 0.4 Cr 5.3 Mo 1.3 V 0.9

PLASTIC MOLDING APPLICATIONS

Part Injection molds Compression/ transfer molds Austenitizing temp. 1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C) Tempering 480F (250C) HRC 50-52

OTHER APPLICATIONS
Application Severe cold punching, scrap shears Austenitizing temp. 1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C) Tempering 480F (250C) HRC 50-52

AISI H13, W.-Nr. 1.2344, EN X40CrMoV5-1

Hot shearing

1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C) Tempering 480F (250C) or 1,070-1,110F (575-600C)

50-52 45-50

Soft annealed to approx. 185 HB

Orange/Violet Shrink rings (e.g. for cemented carbide dies) 1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C) Tempering 1,070-1,110F (575600C) 45-50

This grade has been manufactured to our internal specifications, and audited to meet our guidelines.

Applications
TOOLS FOR EXTRUSION
Part Aluminium, magnesium alloys, HRC 44-50 41-50 Copper alloys HRC Stainless steel HRC Wearresisting parts

1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C) Tempering 1,070F (575C) nitrided

Core 50-52 Surface ~1000HV1

Dies Backers, die-holders, liners, dummy blocks, stems

43-47 40-48

45-50 40-48

For applications requiring extreme levels of toughness and ductility e.g., die-casting dies and forging dies, the premiumgrades Uddeholm Orvar Supreme or Uddeholm Orvar Superior, are recommended.

Austenitizing temperature

1,870-1,885F (1,020-1,030C)

1,900-1,920F (1,040-1,050C)

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Properties
PHYSICAL DATA
Unless otherwise indicated all specimens were hardened 30 minutes at 1875F (1025C), quenched in air and tempered twice, for 2 h at 1130F (610C), with intermittent cooling to room temperature. The hardness was 45 1 HRC.
Temperature 68F (20C) 750F (400C) 600F (1110C)

Approximate strength at elevated temperatures longitudinal direction.

Density lbs/in3 kg/m3 Modulus of elasticity psi N/mm2 Coefficient of thermal expansion per F from 68F per C from 20C Thermal conductivity Btu in/(ft2hF) W/m C

0.281 7,800

0.277 7,700

0.274 7,600

30.5 x 106 210,000

26.1 x 106 180,000

20.3 x 106 140,000

7.0 x 106 12.6 x 106

7.3 x 106 13.2 x 106

Heat treatment
SOFT ANNEALING
Protect the steel and heat through to 1560F (850C). Then cool in the furnace at 20F (10C) per hour to 1200F (650C), then freely in air.

176 25

204 29

211 30

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Approximate tensile strength at room temperature.
Hardness Tensile strength(UTS Rm) psi kp/mm2 tsi N/mm2 52 HRC 45 HRC

STRESS RELIEVING
After rough machining the tool should be heated through to 1200F (650C), holding time 2 hours. Cool slowly to 930F (500C), then freely in air.

263,000 185 117 1,820

206,000 145 92 1,420

HARDENING
Pre-heating temperature: 11101560F (600850C), normally in two pre-heating steps. Austenitizing temperature: 18701920F (10201050C), normally 18701885F (10201030C).
Temperature F 1,875 C 1,025 30 532 HRC Soaking Time Minutes Hardness before tempering

Yield strength (YS Rp0,2) psi kp/mm2 tsi N/mm2

220,000 155 98 1,520

185,000 130 83 1,280

1,920 1,050 15 542 HRC * Soaking time = time at hardening temperature after the tool is fully heated through.

Protect the part against decarburization and oxidation during hardening.

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

QUENCHING MEDIA
High speed gas/circulating atmosphere Vacuum (high speed gas with sufficient positive pressure). An interrupted quench to equalize surface and core is recommended where distortion control and quench cracking are a concern Martempering bath or fluidized bed at 8401020F (450 550C), then cool in air Martempering bath or fluidized bed at approx. 360430F (180220C) then cool in air Warm oil
Note 1: Temper the tool as soon as its temperature reaches 120 160F (5070C). Note 2: In order to obtain the optimum properties for the tool, the cooling rate should be fast, but not at a level that results in excessive distortion or cracks.

Hardness, grain size and retained austenite as function of austenitizing temperature

TEMPERING
Choose the tempering temperature according to the hardness required by referring to the tempering graph. Temper twice with intermediate cooling to room temperature. Lowest tempering temperature 480F (250C). Holding time at temperature minimum 2 hours. Do not temper in the range 8001020F (425 550C).

Above tempering curves are obtained after heat treatment of samples with a size of 15 x 15 x 40 mm, cooling in forced air.Lower hardness can be expected after heat treatment of tools and dies due to factors like actual tool size and heat treatment parameters.

Tempering within the range 800-1020F (425-550C) is not normally recommended due to the reduction in toughness properties.

DIMENSIONAL CHANGES DURING HARDENING

Sample plate, 4 x 4 x 1, 100 x 100 x 25 mm.
Width % Oil hardening from 1,870F (1,020C) min. max. Vac hardening from 1,870F (1,020C) min. max. Air hardening from 1,870F (1,020C) min. max. Length % Thickness %

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

(480C) both result in a surface hardness of about 1100 HV0.2. In general, plasma nitriding is the preferred method because of better control over nitrogen potential; in particular, formation of the so-called white layer, which is not recommended for hot-work service, can readily be avoided. However, careful gas nitriding can give perfectly acceptable results. Bohler-Uddeholm H13 can also be nitrocarburized in either gas or salt bath. The surface hardness after nitrocarburizing is 9001000 HV0.2.

-0.08 -0.15

-0.06 -0.16

0 +0.30

+0.01 +0.02

-0.02 -0.04

+0.08 +0.12

DEPTH OF NITRIDING
Process Time mm Depth inch 0.0047 0.0079 0.0047 0.0071

-0.02 +0.03

-0.05 +0.02

0 +0.05

Gas nitriding at 950F (510C) Plasma nitriding at 895F (480C) Nitrocarburizing in gas at 1075F (580C) in salt bath at 1075F (580C)

10 h 30 h 10 h 30 h

0.12 0.20 0.12 0.18

DIMENSIONAL CHANGES DURING TEMPERING

2.5 h 1h

0.11 0.06

0.0043 0.0024

Nitriding to case depths >0.012 inch (0.3 mm) is not recommended for hot-work applications. Bohler-Uddeholm H13 can be nitrided in the soft-annealed condition. The hardness and depth of case will, however, be reduced somewhat in this case.

Note: The dimensional changes in hardening and tempering should be added.

NITRIDING AND NITROCARBURIZING

Nitriding and nitrocarburizing result in a hard surface layer which is very resistant to wear and erosion. The nitrided layer is, however, brittle and may crack or spall when exposed to mechanical or thermal shock, the risk increasing with layer thickness. Before nitriding, the tool should be hardened and tempered at a temperature at least 4590F (2550C) above the nitriding temperature. Nitriding in ammonia gas at 950F (510C) or plasma nitriding in a 75% hydrogen/25% nitrogen mixture at 895F

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Machining
The cutting data below are to be considered as guidelines, which must be adapted to existing local conditions. Condition: Soft annealed to approx. 185 HB

Carbide drill
Cutting data parameters Indexable insert Cutting speed (vc) f.p.m. m/min Type of drill Solid carbide Carbide tip1)

TURNING
Cutting data parameters Turning with carbide Turning with high speed steel Fine turning

720-785 220-240

425-525 130-160

260-360 80-110

Rough turning Cutting speed (vc) f.p.m. m/min Feed (f) i.p.r. mm/r Depth of cut (ap) inch mm Carbide designation US ISO

Fine turning

656-820 200-250

820-984 250-300

82-98 25-30

Feed (f) i.p.r. 0.001-0.0042) 0.004-0.0103) 0.006-0.0104) mm/r 0.03-0.102) 0.10-0.253) 0.15-0.254) 1) Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip 2) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.81.6 (2040 mm) 3) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.20.8 (520 mm) 4) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.40.8 (1020 mm)

0.008-0.016 0.2-0.4

0.002-0.008 0.05-0.2

0.002-0.01 0.05-0.3

MILLING Face and square shoulder milling

Cutting data parameters Milling with carbide Rough milling Fine milling

0.08-0.16 2-4

0.02-0.08 0.5-2

0.02-0.12 0.5-3

C6-C5 P20-P30 Coated carbide

C7 P10 Coated carbide or cermet

Cutting speed (vc) f.p.m. m/min Feed (fz) inch/tooth mm/tooth Depth of cut (ap) inch mm Carbide designation US ISO

591-853 180-260

853-984 260-300

0.008-0.016 0.2-0.4

0.004-0.008 0.1-0.2

DRILLING High speed steel twist drill

Drill diameter inch -3/16 3/16-3/8 3/8-5/8 5/8-3/4 mm -5 5-10 10-15 15-20 Cutting speed (vc) f.p.m. 52-59* 52-59* 52-59* 52-59* m/min 16-18* 16-18* 16-18* 16-18* i.p.r. 0.002-0.006 0.006-0.008 0.008-0.010 0.010-0.014 Feed (f) mm/r 0.05-0.15 0.15-0.20 0.20-0.25 0.25-0.35

0.08-0.2 2-5

-0.08 -2

C6-C5 P20-P40 Coated carbide

C6-C7 P10-P20 Coated carbide or cermet

*)For coated HSS drill vc 28-30 f.p.m. (92-98 m/min.)

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

End milling
Cutting data parameters Solid carbide Type of milling Carbide indexable insert High speed steel

Electrical-discharge machiningEDM
If spark-erosion is performed in the hardened and tempered condition, the white, recast layer should be removed mechanically e.g., by grinding or stoning. The tool should then be given an additional stress temper at approx. 50F (25C) below the lowest tempering temperature.

Cutting speed (vc) f.p.m. m/min Feed (fz) inch/tooth mm/tooth Carbide designation US ISO

525-660 160-200

560-755 170-230

115-1301) 35-401)

Welding
Welding of tool steel can be performed with good results if proper precautions are taken regarding elevated temperature, joint preparation, choice of consumables and welding procedure.
Welding method TIG 620-710 F (325-375 C) QRO 90 TIG-WELD DIEVAR TIG-WELD MMA 620-710 F (325-375 C) QRO 90 WELD

0.001-0.0082) 0.03-0.202)

0.003-0.0082) 0.08-0.202)

0.002-0.0142) 0.05-0.352)

P20, P30

Preheat temperature Filler material

1)For coated HSS end mill vc = 55-60 m./min. (180-195 m/min.) 2)Depending on radial depth of cut and cutter diameter.

GRINDING
General grinding wheel recommendations is given below.

Cooling rate

3570F/h (2040C/h) the first 23 h then freely in air.

Wheel selection
Type of grinding Wheel recommendation Soft annealed condition Face grinding straight wheel Face grinding segments Cylindrical grinding Internal grinding Profile grinding A 46 HV Hardened condition A 46 HV

Hardness after welding Post weld heat treatment Hardening condition Soft annealed condition A 24 GV A 36 GV

50-55 HRC

50-55 HRC

Temper at 50F (28C) below the lowest original tempering temperature. Soft-anneal the material at 1560F (850C) in protected atmosphere. Then cool in the furnace at 20F (10C) per hour to 1200F (650C) then freely in air.

A 46 LV A 46 JV A 100 LV

A 60 KV A 60 IV A 120 KV

Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Hard-chromium plating
After plating, parts should be tempered at 400F (200C) for 4 hours within 4 hours of plating to avoid the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.

Texturing
Bohler-Uddeholm H13 is particularly suitable for texturing by the photo-etching method. Its high level of homogeneity and low sulphur content ensures accurate and consistent pattern reproduction.

Polishing
Bohler-Uddeholm H13 exhibits good polishability in the hardened and tempered condition. Polishing after grinding can be effective using aluminum oxide or diamond paste. Typical procedure: 1. Rough grinding to 180320 grain size using a wheel or stone. 2. Fine grinding with abrasive paper or powder down to 400800 grain size. 3. Polish with diamond paste with a grain size of 15 m using a polishing tool of soft wood or fiber. 4. Polish with diamond paste with a series of finer grain sizes e.g., 8-6-3 m using a polishing tool of soft wood or fiber. 5. When demands on surface finish are high, a 1m diamond paste can be used for final polishing with a fiber polishing pad.

BOHLER-UDDEHOLM CORPORATION 2505 Millennium Drive, Elgin, IL 60124 www.bucorp.com | 1-800-638-2520 | info@bucorp.com The Steel Store 1-877-783-3555

This information is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses. It should not therefore be construed as a warranty of specific properties of the products described or a warranty for fitness for a particular purpose. The latest revised edition of this brochure is the English version, which is always published on our web site www.bucorp.com Edition 1, 07.2013