The benchmark Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel. Used wherever steel meets aluminum at heat: die-casting dies, hot forging dies, extrusion tooling, plastic mold cavities for high-temperature resins.
AISI H-13 · UNS T20813 · Lindquist code TBBH97
| C | Cr | Si | Mo | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.40 | 5.25 | 1.00 | 1.25 | 1.05 |
| Machinability | 75 (vs 1% C steel = 100) |
|---|---|
| Dimensional stability | +0.001 in/in expansion on air-quench |
| Critical points (heating) | Ac 1600–1665°F |
| Critical points (cooling) | Ar 1460–1350°F |
| Surface chemistry | Sensitive to carb/decarb — vacuum or stainless-foil wrap during heat-treat |
| Forging | 2050–2150°F, stop at 1650°F, cool slowly |
|---|---|
| Annealing | 1600°F, furnace-cool · BHN 207 max |
| Preheat | 1350°F (soak) |
| Hardening | 1850°F, air-quench |
| Tempering | 1050–1150°F → HRC 38/46 · die-cast 1100°F → HRC 44/48 |
| Temper °F | Rockwell C |
|---|---|
| 400 | 54 |
| 500 | 53 |
| 600 | 53 |
| 700 | 53 |
| 800 | 53 |
| 900 | 54 |
| 1000 | 52 |
| 1100 | 46 |
| 1200 | 36 |
→ Air-quenched from 1850°F, 2-hr temper. All hot-work steel should be tempered at least 50°F above expected operating temperature. Double tempering advised when heat-checking is a concern.
We stock H13 in plate, block, round, drill rod. Tell us the size and quantity — we'll come back with a price and a date.
Datasheet content reproduced from Lindquist technical bulletin Lindquist code TBBH97. Heat-treatment recommendations are typical — confirm specifics with your metallurgist for production work.