1.2344 Hot-Work Tool Steel

Q: What is the chemical composition of 1.2344?

Carbon 0.35 to 0.42 percent, silicon 0.80 to 1.20 percent, manganese 0.25 to 0.50 percent, chromium 4.80 to 5.50 percent, molybdenum 1.20 to 1.50 percent and vanadium 0.85 to 1.15 percent, with phosphorus and sulphur each limited to 0.030 percent and the balance iron. A typical aim analysis is 0.40 C, 1.00 Si, 0.40 Mn, 5.25 Cr, 1.35 Mo and 1.00 V.

Q: What hardness can 1.2344 reach?

1.2344 quenches to 52 to 56 HRC from 1000 to 1040 C and is then tempered back. Two tempers at 550 C leave about 53 HRC, 600 C gives about 47 HRC and 650 C about 38 HRC. Die casting dies normally run at 44 to 48 HRC and extrusion or forging tooling at 46 to 52 HRC.

Q: What is the maximum working temperature of 1.2344?

Around 540 C, or 1000 F, for continuous load-bearing service. The die face contacts much hotter metal for short cycles, but the bulk of the tool must stay below its tempering temperature or it softens. Keep the tempering temperature at least 30 C above the highest bulk temperature the tool will see.

Q: Can 1.2344 be welded?

Yes, and die repair welding is routine. Preheat to 300 to 400 C, weld with a matching H13 filler while the tool stays above the preheat temperature, cool slowly to 60 to 80 C, then temper 20 to 30 C below the original tempering temperature. Welding without preheat is the most common cause of cracked repairs.

Q: What is the difference between 1.2344 and 1.2344 ESR?

ESR stands for electro-slag remelting. The remelting step lowers sulphur, breaks up segregation and improves transverse toughness and polishability. Standard 1.2344 covers most forging and extrusion tooling, while ESR material earns its premium on large aluminium die casting dies, mirror-polished plastic moulds and any order calling for NADCA premium or superior quality.

Q: Why order forged 1.2344 instead of a cut plate?

Forging closes porosity left from the ingot and produces grain flow that follows the shape of the part, raising transverse toughness and heat-check resistance in the direction die faces are loaded. A block cut from rolled plate carries strong directionality and mid-thickness segregation from the original slab, so for thermally cycled tooling the forged route gives longer die life.

Q: Do you supply mill test certificates for 1.2344?

Yes. Every consignment from Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate covering heat number, chemical analysis, heat treatment condition, hardness and ultrasonic results. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TUV and 3.2 certification can be arranged on request.

Open-die forged bars, blocks, discs, rings and die blanks in DIN 1.2344 and AISI H13, made to size in Jiangyin, China.

The same steel is specified as: 1.2344; X40CrMoV5-1; AISI H13; SKD61; 4Cr5MoSiV1; UNS T20813

1.2344 is a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work tool steel, standardised as X40CrMoV5-1 in DIN EN ISO 4957 and equivalent to AISI H13, JIS SKD61 and Chinese 4Cr5MoSiV1. It runs about 0.40% C, 5.25% Cr, 1.35% Mo and 1.00% V. It hardens to 52-56 HRC and is normally used at 44-52 HRC in aluminium die-casting dies, hot forging dies, extrusion tooling and plastic mould cavities working up to roughly 540 °C (1000 °F).

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forges 1.2344 at its open-die works in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China. Product forms include round bar, square and flat bar, blocks, die plates, discs, hollow bar, sleeves and seamless rolled rings, supplied annealed or quenched and tempered, with EN 10204 3.1 certification. Enquiries go to +86 189 2135 9659 or sales@steelforgepieces.com.

Steel type: Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel
Standard: DIN EN ISO 4957
Delivery hardness: Annealed, max 229 HB
Working hardness: 44-52 HRC
Density: 7.80 g/cm³
Forms: Bar, block, disc, ring, hollow bar

What is 1.2344 steel?

1.2344 is a 5% chromium hot-work tool steel. It keeps its hardness and toughness through repeated heating and cooling, which is what die casting, hot forging and extrusion tooling demand.

The number 1.2344 is the German material number. DIN EN ISO 4957 gives the same steel the descriptive name X40CrMoV5-1. Drawings from North America normally call it AISI H13, and Japanese drawings SKD61.

Chromium at around 5% resists softening at temperature and forms an oxide film that slows heat checking. Molybdenum at 1.35% adds hot strength and holds off temper embrittlement. Vanadium at 1% forms fine hard carbides that resist abrasive wear and keep the grain fine during austenitising. The steel is air-hardening, so heavy sections through-harden on slow cooling with little distortion and low risk of quench cracks.

Most hot-work dies fail one of two ways: thermal fatigue cracking on the working face, known as heat checking, or gross cracking caused by low toughness. 1.2344 is run at 44-52 HRC against molten aluminium at 660-700 °C and against hot forging stock. Cleanliness, forging reduction and heat treatment affect die life as much as the chemistry does.

Chemical composition of 1.2344

Specification limits to DIN EN ISO 4957, with the aim analysis used for forged tooling stock.

Table 1. Chemical composition of 1.2344 / X40CrMoV5-1, weight %
Element	Minimum	Maximum	Typical aim
Carbon (C)	0.35	0.42	0.40
Silicon (Si)	0.80	1.20	1.00
Manganese (Mn)	0.25	0.50	0.40
Chromium (Cr)	4.80	5.50	5.25
Molybdenum (Mo)	1.20	1.50	1.35
Vanadium (V)	0.85	1.15	1.00
Phosphorus (P)	-	0.030	0.020 max
Sulphur (S)	-	0.030	0.010 max
Iron (Fe)	Balance

ASTM A681 allows a wider band for H13, with carbon 0.32 to 0.45, chromium 4.75 to 5.50, molybdenum 1.10 to 1.75 and vanadium 0.80 to 1.20. Material certified to 1.2344 therefore satisfies H13, while an H13 heat at the edge of its range may fall outside 1.2344. Where NADCA #207 premium or superior quality applies, phosphorus and sulphur are held tighter and electro-slag remelted stock is normally specified.

1.2344 equivalents by country and standard

Cross-reference for matching a drawing callout to available stock.

Table 2. International equivalent grades for 1.2344
Region	Standard	Designation
Germany / Europe	DIN EN ISO 4957	1.2344, X40CrMoV5-1
United States	ASTM A681 / UNS	AISI H13, UNS T20813
Japan	JIS G4404	SKD61
China	GB/T 1299	4Cr5MoSiV1
France	AFNOR NF A35-590	Z40CDV5
United Kingdom	BS 4659	BH13
Italy	UNI	X35CrMoV05 KU
Spain	UNE	X40CrMoV5
Sweden	SS	2242
Russia	GOST	4Kh5MF1S

These grades are close but not identical. Check the governing standard on the drawing before substituting. Dual-certified material can be supplied where a single heat meets both 1.2344 and H13 limits.

Physical and mechanical properties

Table 3. Typical physical properties of 1.2344
Property	At 20 °C	At 400 °C	At 600 °C
Density (g/cm³)	7.80	7.70	7.64
Modulus of elasticity (GPa)	215	193	175
Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)	24.3	27.5	29.0
Specific heat (J/kg·K)	460	550	590
Thermal expansion from 20 °C (10^-6/K)	-	12.2	12.7
Electrical resistivity (Ω·mm²/m)	0.52	0.86	1.06

Hardness and strength

Annealed, as delivered: 229 HB maximum, roughly 98 HRB, fully machinable.
As quenched: 52-56 HRC, depending on austenitising temperature.
Working hardness: 44-48 HRC for die-casting dies, 46-52 HRC for extrusion and hot forging tooling.
Tensile strength at 48 HRC: around 1550 MPa, with yield near 1300 MPa.
Machinability rating: about 75% of the W-group water-hardening tool steels in the annealed condition.
Maximum service temperature: roughly 540 °C (1000 °F) under sustained load. Keep the tempering temperature at least 30 °C above the service temperature.

Heat treatment of 1.2344

Annealing, hardening, tempering and nitriding parameters in °C and °F.

Table 4. Heat treatment schedule for 1.2344 / H13
Operation	Temperature	Hold and cooling	Result
Soft annealing	750-800 °C (1380-1470 °F)	Furnace cool 10-20 °C per hour to 600 °C, then air	229 HB max
Stress relieving	600-650 °C (1110-1200 °F)	Hold 2 hours after rough machining, slow cool	Removes machining stress
Preheating	Two steps, 500-600 °C then 800-850 °C	Equalise at each step	Limits distortion
Hardening	1000-1040 °C (1830-1900 °F)	Hold 15-30 minutes, quench in vacuum gas, oil or still air	52-56 HRC as quenched
Tempering	550-650 °C (1020-1200 °F)	Two tempers minimum, 2 hours each, cool to room temperature between	52-38 HRC, see Table 5
Nitriding, optional	480-530 °C (900-990 °F)	Gas or plasma, after the final temper	0.10-0.30 mm case at 1000-1200 HV

Tempering response

Table 5. Hardness after two tempers, austenitised at 1020 °C
Tempering temperature	°F	Hardness (HRC)
500 °C	930	54
550 °C	1020	53
575 °C	1070	50
600 °C	1110	47
625 °C	1160	43
650 °C	1200	38

1.2344 secondary hardens near 500-550 °C, so take the first temper above the peak. For aluminium die-casting dies, NADCA #207 practice is three tempers to a final 44-48 HRC. The figures above come from test coupons and should be confirmed on the section size in question.

Forging practice

Heat slowly and evenly to 1050-1100 °C (1920-2010 °F) and finish forging above 900 °C (1650 °F). Do not deform the steel below 900 °C. After forging, cool slowly in a furnace or under insulation, then anneal without delay. 1.2344 is air-hardening and a heavy forging left to cool in still air will crack.

What 1.2344 is used for

Tooling families that specify this grade, and the forged shapes we supply for each.

Die casting

Die casting dies and cavity inserts for aluminium, magnesium and zinc
Cores, core pins and slides
Shot sleeves and plunger tips
Die holders, bolsters and ejector plates

Extrusion tooling

Aluminium extrusion dies and die holders
Extrusion stems, mandrels and liners
Dummy blocks and containers
Backers and bolsters

Hot forging and forming

Hot forging dies and die inserts
Forming and piercing punches
Hot shear blades and trimming tools
Header and gripper dies for bolts, nuts and rivets

Plastics and general tooling

Plastic mould cavities and mould dies
Worms and cylinders for plastics processing
Profiling rolls and shrink rings
Wear-resistant parts and nitrided ejectors

Forged 1.2344 products and size range

Every item is forged to order from ingot. No stock cutting and no plate substitution.

Table 6. Open-die forged 1.2344 product forms and dimensional capability
Product form	Size range	Length or height	Max unit weight
Round bar and shaft	Dia 80-1200 mm	Up to 6000 mm	20 t
Square and flat bar	100-1000 mm thick, up to 1500 mm wide	Up to 6000 mm	20 t
Blocks and die plates	Thickness 100-1000 mm	Up to 3000 mm	20 t
Discs and die blanks	Dia 200-2500 mm	Thickness 80-800 mm	20 t
Seamless rolled rings	OD 300-3000 mm, ID from 150 mm	Height up to 800 mm	15 t
Hollow bar, sleeve, bushing	OD 150-1500 mm, wall from 40 mm	Up to 4000 mm	15 t

Delivery conditions

Annealed to 229 HB maximum, ready for customer machining and heat treatment.
Quenched and tempered to a specified hardness band, usually 44-52 HRC.
Surface as forged with scale, shot blasted, black rough machined, peeled, turned, milled on six faces, or finish ground.
Machining allowance agreed per drawing. Six-face milled blocks are supplied ready for CNC.

Quality control, testing and documentation

Table 7. Standard test and inspection scope
Test	Method or standard	Acceptance
Chemical analysis	Optical emission spectrometry, ladle and product	DIN EN ISO 4957 or ASTM A681
Ultrasonic testing	ASTM A388 or SEP 1921	Class 3 D/d, or customer class
Hardness	Brinell or Rockwell C, multi-point mapping	Within the agreed band
Microstructure	Annealed structure, banding, carbide distribution	NADCA #207 or GB/T 1299
Cleanliness	ASTM E45 or DIN 50602	To order
Grain size	ASTM E112	Typically 6 or finer
Dimensions	Full measurement against drawing	Agreed tolerance

Material ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 as standard. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TUV can be arranged on request, and 3.2 certification is available where the specification calls for it.

1.2344 compared with other hot-work tool steels

The four grades most often quoted against each other, and when each one wins.

Table 8. 1.2344 against 1.2343, 1.2367 and 1.2714
Grade	Equivalent	Key difference	Choose it when
1.2344	AISI H13, SKD61	1.0% V, balanced hot strength and wear resistance	General purpose choice for die casting, extrusion and hot forging
1.2343	AISI H11	Around half the vanadium at 0.4%, higher toughness, slightly lower hot wear resistance	Large dies where cracking is the main risk rather than wear
1.2367	X38CrMoV5-3	Higher molybdenum at around 3%, better temper resistance and heat-check resistance	Heavy die casting and hot stamping with severe thermal cycling
1.2714	AISI L6, 55NiCrMoV7	Nickel alloyed, very tough, lower hot hardness	Large hammer and press forging dies where impact dominates

How to order forged 1.2344

Send the six items below and a firm quotation follows within one working day.

Grade and standard: 1.2344, or the equivalent designation on the drawing.
Shape and finished dimensions, with the machining allowance to be added.
Quantity and total tonnage.
Delivery condition: annealed, or quenched and tempered to a stated hardness band.
Testing and certification: UT class, EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, any third-party inspection.
Destination port and required Incoterms for the freight quotation.

Drawings in PDF, DWG or STEP are all accepted. Send them to sales@steelforgepieces.com, or message +86 189 2135 9659 on WhatsApp or WeChat.

Frequently asked questions about 1.2344

Is 1.2344 the same as H13?

For most purposes, yes. 1.2344 is the European material number for X40CrMoV5-1, and AISI H13 is the American designation for the same Cr-Mo-V hot-work tool steel. The difference is how wide the tolerance is. ASTM A681 allows carbon from 0.32 to 0.45%, while EN ISO 4957 holds 1.2344 to 0.35 to 0.42%. Material certified to 1.2344 always meets H13. An H13 heat at the edge of its range may fall outside 1.2344.

What is the chemical composition of 1.2344?

Carbon 0.35 to 0.42%, silicon 0.80 to 1.20%, manganese 0.25 to 0.50%, chromium 4.80 to 5.50%, molybdenum 1.20 to 1.50% and vanadium 0.85 to 1.15%, with phosphorus and sulphur each limited to 0.030% and the balance iron. A typical aim analysis is 0.40 C, 1.00 Si, 0.40 Mn, 5.25 Cr, 1.35 Mo and 1.00 V.

What hardness can 1.2344 reach?

It quenches to 52-56 HRC from 1000-1040 °C and is then tempered back to working hardness. Two tempers at 550 °C leave about 53 HRC, 600 °C gives about 47 HRC and 650 °C about 38 HRC. Die-casting dies normally run at 44-48 HRC, extrusion and forging tooling at 46-52 HRC.

What is the maximum working temperature of 1.2344?

Around 540 °C (1000 °F) for continuous load-bearing service. The die face contacts much hotter metal for short cycles, which the steel is built for, but the bulk of the tool has to stay below its tempering temperature or it softens in service. Keep the tempering temperature at least 30 °C above the highest bulk temperature the tool will see.

Can 1.2344 be welded?

Yes, and die repair welding is routine. Preheat to 300-400 °C, weld with a matching H13 filler while the tool stays above the preheat temperature, cool slowly to 60-80 °C, then temper 20-30 °C below the original tempering temperature. Welding without preheat is the most common cause of cracked repairs.

What is the difference between 1.2344 and 1.2344 ESR?

ESR stands for electro-slag remelting, a secondary refining process that lowers sulphur, breaks up segregation and improves transverse toughness and polishability. Standard 1.2344 covers most forging and extrusion tooling. ESR material earns its premium on large aluminium die-casting dies, mirror-polished plastic moulds, and any order calling for NADCA premium or superior quality.

Why order forged 1.2344 instead of a cut plate?

Forging closes porosity left from the ingot and produces a grain flow that follows the shape of the part, which raises transverse toughness and heat-check resistance in the direction die faces are loaded. A block cut from rolled plate carries strong directionality and the mid-thickness segregation of the original slab. For tooling that will be thermally cycled, the forged route gives longer die life.

What sizes of forged 1.2344 can you supply?

Round bar from 80 to 1200 mm diameter, blocks and die plates from 100 to 1000 mm thick, discs to 2500 mm diameter and seamless rolled rings to 3000 mm outside diameter, with single-piece weights up to about 20 tonnes. Non-standard sections are forged to drawing.

Do you supply mill test certificates?

Yes. Every consignment ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate covering heat number, chemical analysis, heat treatment condition, hardness and ultrasonic results. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TUV and 3.2 certification can be arranged on request.

Who supplies forged 1.2344 in China?

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forges 1.2344 at its open-die forging works at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China, and exports worldwide. Contact +86 189 2135 9659 or sales@steelforgepieces.com for a quotation.

About Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. The works forges carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys into round and flat bar, shafts, blocks, discs, hollow bars, sleeves and seamless rolled rings, and supplies die makers, extruders, forging shops and OEMs worldwide.

Jiangyin sits on the Yangtze River in southern Jiangsu, between Shanghai and Nanjing. The city has its own river port and is roughly two hours by road from the port of Shanghai, which keeps export lead times short for containerised and break-bulk shipments.

Supplier of record for this page

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., open-die forging factory
No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
Telephone, WhatsApp and WeChat: +86 189 2135 9659
Email: sales@steelforgepieces.com
Website: www.steelforgepieces.com

Reference: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., "1.2344 Hot-Work Tool Steel: Composition, Heat Treatment and Forged Products", steelforgepieces.com, updated 5 September 2026.

Standards referenced

DIN EN ISO 4957, tool steels: composition and delivery conditions for X40CrMoV5-1.
ASTM A681, standard specification for alloy tool steels, covering H13.
JIS G4404, alloy tool steels, covering SKD61.
GB/T 1299, tool and mould steels, covering 4Cr5MoSiV1.
NADCA #207, special quality die steel and heat treatment acceptance criteria for die casting dies.
EN 10204, types of inspection documents for metallic products.
ASTM A388 and SEP 1921, ultrasonic examination of heavy steel forgings.

The data on this page is compiled from the standards listed above and from our own production records. Figures given as typical are guidance for design work. Confirm critical values against the mill certificate for the specific heat and section size.

Reviewed and updated 5 September 2026 by the technical department at Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. A plain text version of this page is available at 1.2344.md.