MATERIALIZING VISIONS

Bohler-Uddeholm H13
TOOL STEEL
Bohler-Uddeholm H13

General PLASTIC MOLDING APPLICATIONS

Bohler-Uddeholm H13 is a chromium-molybdenum-

vanadium alloyed steel which is characterized by: Part Austenitizing temp. HRC

• Good resistance to abrasion at both low and high Injection molds 1,870-1,885°F (1,020-1,030°C) 50-52
temperatures Compression/ Tempering 480°F (250°C)
• High level of toughness and ductility transfer molds
• Uniform and high level of machinability and
polishability OTHER APPLICATIONS
• Good high-temperature strength and resistance to
thermal fatigue
• Excellent through-hardening properties Application Austenitizing temp. HRC
• Very limited distortion during hardening.
Severe cold 1,870-1,885°F 50-52
punching, scrap (1,020-1,030°C)
Typical C Si Mn Cr Mo V shears Tempering 480°F (250°C)
analysis % 0.39 1.0 0.4 5.3 1.3 0.9

Standard AISI H13, W.-Nr. 1.2344, EN X40CrMoV5-1 Hot shearing 1,870-1,885°F 50-52
specification (1,020-1,030°C)
45-50
Delivery Soft annealed to approx. 185 HB Tempering 480°F (250°C) or
condition 1,070-1,110°F
(575-600°C)
Color code Orange/Violet

This grade has been manufactured to our internal Shrink rings (e.g. 1,870-1,885°F 45-50
specifications, and audited to meet our guidelines. for cemented (1,020-1,030°C)
carbide dies) Tempering 1,070-1,110°F
(575–600°C)
Applications
TOOLS FOR EXTRUSION Wear- 1,870-1,885°F Core
resisting parts (1,020-1,030°C) 50-52
Tempering 1,070°F (575°C) Surface
Part Aluminium, mag- Copper al- Stainless nitrided ~1000HV1
nesium alloys, loys HRC steel HRC
HRC
For applications requiring extreme levels of toughness and
Dies 44-50 43-47 45-50 ductility e.g., die-casting dies and forging dies, the premium-
Backers, 41-50 40-48 40-48 grades Uddeholm Orvar Supreme or Uddeholm Orvar
die-holders, Superior, are recommended.
liners, dummy
blocks, stems

Austenitizing 1,870-1,885°F 1,900-1,920°F

temperature (1,020-1,030°C) (1,040-1,050°C)

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 Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Properties Approximate strength at elevated temperatures longitudinal

direction.
PHYSICAL DATA

Unless otherwise indicated all specimens were hardened 30

minutes at 1875°F (1025°C), quenched in air and tempered
twice, for 2 h at 1130°F (610°C), with intermittent cooling to
room temperature. The hardness was 45 ± 1 HRC.

Temperature 68°F 750°F 600°F

(20°C) (400°C) (1110°C)

Density
lbs/in3 0.281 0.277 0.274
kg/m3 7,800 7,700 7,600

Modulus of elasticity
psi 30.5 x 106 26.1 x 106 20.3 x 106
N/mm2 210,000 180,000 140,000

Coefficient of thermal
expansion Heat treatment
per °F from 68°F – 7.0 x 10–6 7.3 x 10–6
per °C from 20°C – 12.6 x 10–6 13.2 x 10–6 SOFT ANNEALING

Thermal conductivity Protect the steel and heat through to 1560°F (850°C).
Btu in/(ft2h°F) 176 204 211 Then cool in the furnace at 20°F (10°C) per hour to 1200°F
W/m °C 25 29 30 (650°C), then freely in air.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES STRESS RELIEVING

Approximate tensile strength at room temperature. After rough machining the tool should be heated through to
1200°F (650°C), holding time 2 hours. Cool slowly to 930°F
(500°C), then freely in air.
Hardness 52 HRC 45 HRC

Tensile strength(UTS Rm) HARDENING

psi 263,000 206,000
kp/mm2 185 145 Pre-heating temperature: 1110–1560°F (600–850°C),
tsi 117 92 normally in two pre-heating steps.
N/mm2 1,820 1,420 Austenitizing temperature: 1870–1920°F (1020–1050°C),
normally 1870–1885°F (1020–1030°C).

Yield strength (YS Rp0,2)

psi 220,000 185,000 Temperature Soaking Time Hardness before
kp/mm2 155 130 Minutes tempering
tsi 98 83 °F °C
N/mm2 1,520 1,280
1,875 1,025 30 53±2 HRC

1,920 1,050 15 54±2 HRC

* Soaking time = time at hardening temperature after the tool is
fully heated through.

Protect the part against decarburization and oxidation

during hardening.

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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 840–1020°F
(450– 550°C), then cool in air
• Martempering bath or fluidized bed at approx.
360–430°F (180–220°C) then cool in air
• Warm oil

Note 1: Temper the tool as soon as its temperature reaches 120–

160°F (50–70°C).
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 exces-
sive distortion or cracks.

Hardness, grain size and retained austenite as function of

austenitizing temperature

TEMPERING
Choose the tempering temperature according to the hard-
ness required by referring to the tempering graph.
Temper twice with intermediate cooling to room tempera-
ture. Lowest tempering temperature 480°F (250°C). Hold-
ing time at temperature minimum 2 hours. Do not temper in
the range 800–1020°F (425– 550°C).
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 ex-
pected after heat treatment of tools and dies due to factors like actual tool
size and heat treatment parameters.
Tempering within the range 800-1020°F (425-550°C) is not
normally recommended due to the reduction in toughness
properties.

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 Bohler-Uddeholm H13
DIMENSIONAL CHANGES DURING
HARDENING (480°C) both result in a surface hardness of about 1100
HV0.2. In general, plasma nitriding is the preferred method
Sample plate, 4” x 4” x 1”, 100 x 100 x 25 mm. because of better control over nitrogen potential; in par-
ticular, formation of the so-called white layer, which is not
Width Length Thickness recommended for hot-work service, can readily be avoided.
% % % However, careful gas nitriding can give perfectly acceptable
results.
Oil hardening from
1,870°F (1,020°C) Bohler-Uddeholm H13 can also be nitrocarburized in either
min. -0.08 -0.06 ±0 gas or salt bath. The surface hardness after nitrocarburizing
max. -0.15 -0.16 +0.30 is 900–1000 HV0.2.

Vac hardening from

1,870°F (1,020°C) DEPTH OF NITRIDING
min. +0.01 -0.02 +0.08
max. +0.02 -0.04 +0.12
Process Time Depth
Air hardening from
1,870°F mm inch
(1,020°C) -0.02 -0.05 ±0
min. +0.03 +0.02 +0.05 Gas nitriding at 950°F 10 h 0.12 0.0047
max. (510°C) 30 h 0.20 0.0079

Plasma nitriding at 895°F 10 h 0.12 0.0047

DIMENSIONAL CHANGES DURING (480°C) 30 h 0.18 0.0071
TEMPERING
Nitrocarburizing
– in gas at 1075°F (580°C) 2.5 h 0.11 0.0043
– in salt bath at 1075°F 1h 0.06 0.0024
(580°C)

Nitriding to case depths >0.012 inch (0.3 mm) is not rec-

ommended 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 temper-

ing 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 lay-
er is, however, brittle and may crack or spall when exposed
to mechanical or thermal shock, the risk increasing with lay-
er thickness. Before nitriding, the tool should be hardened
and tempered at a temperature at least 45–90°F (25–50°C)
above the nitriding temperature.

Nitriding in ammonia gas at 950°F (510°C) or plasma nitrid-

ing in a 75% hydrogen/25% nitrogen mixture at 895°F
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Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Machining Carbide drill

The cutting data below are to be considered as guidelines,

which must be adapted to existing local conditions. Cutting data Type of drill
Condition: Soft annealed to approx. 185 HB parameters
Indexable Solid Carbide
TURNING insert carbide tip1)

Cutting speed (vc)

Cutting data Turning with Turning f.p.m.
parameters carbide with high m/min 720-785 425-525 260-360
speed steel 220-240 130-160 80-110

Rough Fine Fine Feed (f)

turning turning turning 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)
Cutting speed (vc) 1) Drill with replaceable or brazed carbide tip
f.p.m. 656-820 820-984 82-98 2) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.8”–1.6” (20–40 mm)
m/min 200-250 250-300 25-30 3) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.2”–0.8” (5–20 mm)
4) Feed rate for drill diameter 0.4”–0.8” (10–20 mm)
Feed (f)
i.p.r. 0.008-0.016 0.002-0.008 0.002-0.01 MILLING
mm/r 0.2-0.4 0.05-0.2 0.05-0.3
Face and square shoulder milling
Depth of cut (ap)
inch 0.08-0.16 0.02-0.08 0.02-0.12
mm 2-4 0.5-2 0.5-3 Cutting data Milling with carbide
parameters
Carbide Rough milling Fine milling
designation
US C6-C5 C7 - Cutting speed (vc)
ISO P20-P30 P10 - f.p.m. 591-853 853-984
Coated Coated m/min 180-260 260-300
carbide carbide or
cermet Feed (fz)
inch/tooth 0.008-0.016 0.004-0.008
mm/tooth 0.2-0.4 0.1-0.2

DRILLING Depth of cut (ap)

inch 0.08-0.2 -0.08
High speed steel twist drill mm 2-5 -2

Carbide
Drill diameter Cutting speed (vc) Feed (f) designation
US C6-C5 C6-C7
inch mm f.p.m. m/min i.p.r. mm/r ISO P20-P40 P10-P20
Coated carbide Coated carbide or
-3/16 -5 52-59* 16-18* 0.002-0.006 0.05-0.15 cermet

3/16-3/8 5-10 52-59* 16-18* 0.006-0.008 0.15-0.20

3/8-5/8 10-15 52-59* 16-18* 0.008-0.010 0.20-0.25

5/8-3/4 15-20 52-59* 16-18* 0.010-0.014 0.25-0.35

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

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 Bohler-Uddeholm H13

End milling Electrical-discharge

machining–EDM
Cutting data Type of milling
parameters If spark-erosion is performed in the hardened and tempered
Solid Carbide High speed condition, the white, recast layer should be removed
carbide indexable steel mechanically e.g., by grinding or stoning. The tool should
insert then be given an additional stress temper at approx. 50°F
(25°C) below the lowest tempering temperature.
Cutting
speed (vc)
f.p.m. 525-660 560-755 115-1301) Welding
m/min 160-200 170-230 35-401)
Welding of tool steel can be performed with good results
Feed (fz) if proper precautions are taken regarding elevated
inch/tooth 0.001-0.0082) 0.003-0.0082) 0.002-0.0142) temperature, joint preparation, choice of consumables and
mm/tooth 0.03-0.202) 0.08-0.202) 0.05-0.352) welding procedure.

Carbide
designation Welding method TIG MMA
US
ISO P20, P30 Preheat 620-710 °F 620-710 °F
temperature (325-375 °C) (325-375 °C)
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. Filler material QRO 90 TIG-WELD QRO 90 WELD
DIEVAR TIG-WELD

GRINDING Cooling rate 35–70°F/h (20–40°C/h) the first 2–3 h

then freely in air.
General grinding wheel recommendations is given below.

Wheel selection Hardness after 50-55 HRC 50-55 HRC

welding

Type of grinding Wheel recommendation Post weld heat

treatment
Soft annealed Hardened
condition condition Hardening Temper at 50°F (28°C) below the lowest
condition original tempering temperature.
Face grinding A 46 HV A 46 HV
straight wheel Soft annealed Soft-anneal the material at 1560°F
condition (850°C) in protected atmosphere. Then
Face grinding A 24 GV A 36 GV cool in the furnace at 20°F (10°C) per
segments hour to 1200°F (650°C) then freely in air.

Cylindrical grinding A 46 LV A 60 KV

Internal grinding A 46 JV A 60 IV

Profile grinding A 100 LV A 120 KV

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Bohler-Uddeholm H13

Hard-chromium plating
After plating, parts should be tempered at 400°F (200°C) 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 180–320 grain size using a
wheel or stone.
2. Fine grinding with abrasive paper or powder down
to 400–800 grain size.
3. Polish with diamond paste with a grain size of 15
µm 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 µm using a polishing tool of
soft wood or fiber.
5. When demands on surface finish are high, a 1µm
diamond paste can be used for final polishing with
a fiber polishing pad.

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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