Technical Specifications
Chemical Composition
- Carbon (C): 0.32 – 0.45% – Provides base strength and contributes to hot hardness.
- Silicon (Si): 0.80 – 1.20% – Enhances strength and thermal stability.
- Manganese (Mn): 0.20 – 0.50% – Improves toughness and deoxidation.
- Chromium (Cr): 4.75 – 5.50% – Increases hardenability and wear resistance at elevated temperature.
- Molybdenum (Mo): 1.10 – 1.75% – Boosts high-temperature strength and creep resistance.
- Vanadium (V): 0.80 – 1.20% – Refines grain and enhances toughness and thermal fatigue resistance.
- Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.03% – Limits brittleness and ensures soundness.
- Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.03% – Maintains quality and machinability.
Treatment
- Annealing: Heat slowly to ~750-780 °C, soak thoroughly, then furnace-cool to achieve approx. ≤235 HB for machining.
- Hardening: Austenitise around 1000-1050 °C (depending on section size) then quench in oil or air to ensure deep hardening.
- Tempering: Typically temper at 550-650 °C (or higher) depending on required balance of hardness and toughness; multiple temper cycles recommended.
- Finish Machining & Polishing: Excellent polishability makes H13 ideal for high-finish moulds and tools subject to thermal shock.
