H13 Tool Steel

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

A2 tool steel properties

A2 tool steel is an air hardening, cold work steel. A2 is a 5% Chromium steel which provides high hardness after heat treatment with good dimensional stability. It is heat treatable and will offer a hardness in the range 57-62 HRC.

The lower chromium content in A2 tool steel means that it does not provide the same wear and abrasion resistance shown by D2 and D3, However, it is more easily machined and will hold a good edge.

A2 delivers good toughness with medium wear resistance and is relatively easy to machine. Used in many applications which require good wear resistance as well as good toughness.

Typical Applications for A2 Steel:

• blanking tools
• punch dies
• trim dies
• forming dies
• gauges
• shear blades
• stamping dies

AISI A2 equivalent grades: BS4659 - BA2, AISI - A2, DIN - 1.2363 - X100CrMoV5

Our M2 steel is a general purpose molybdenum-type high-speed steel exhibiting well-balanced toughness, wear-resistance and red hardness properties. This grade is commonly used in cold work punches and dies and cutting applications involving high-speed and light cuts. M2 high-speed steel is by far the most popular high-speed steel replacing T1 in most applications because of its superior properties such as its bending strength, toughness and thermo-plasticity—all of which are higher than T1 by 50%.

Other Known Names: HS 6-5-2, 1.3343, S600 Steel, E M2, REX M2®, SKH 51, P6M5, 6-6, M2 Tool Steel

H13 Tool Steel

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

A2 tool steel properties

A2 tool steel is an air hardening, cold work steel. A2 is a 5% Chromium steel which provides high hardness after heat treatment with good dimensional stability. It is heat treatable and will offer a hardness in the range 57-62 HRC.

The lower chromium content in A2 tool steel means that it does not provide the same wear and abrasion resistance shown by D2 and D3, However, it is more easily machined and will hold a good edge.

A2 delivers good toughness with medium wear resistance and is relatively easy to machine. Used in many applications which require good wear resistance as well as good toughness.

Typical Applications for A2 Steel:

• blanking tools
• punch dies
• trim dies
• forming dies
• gauges
• shear blades
• stamping dies

AISI A2 equivalent grades: BS4659 - BA2, AISI - A2, DIN - 1.2363 - X100CrMoV5

Our M2 steel is a general purpose molybdenum-type high-speed steel exhibiting well-balanced toughness, wear-resistance and red hardness properties. This grade is commonly used in cold work punches and dies and cutting applications involving high-speed and light cuts. M2 high-speed steel is by far the most popular high-speed steel replacing T1 in most applications because of its superior properties such as its bending strength, toughness and thermo-plasticity—all of which are higher than T1 by 50%.

Other Known Names: HS 6-5-2, 1.3343, S600 Steel, E M2, REX M2®, SKH 51, P6M5, 6-6, M2 Tool Steel