Crucible Steel Rod/Bar,Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod/Bar

Crucible Steel Rod Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel Rod Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Crucible Steel Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Introduction: Crucible Nu-Die® XL (Premium AISI H13) Tool Steel** Crucible Nu-Die® XL represents the pinnacle of premium-grade AISI H13 hot work tool steel. Engineered for the most demanding die casting, extrusion, and forging applications, the "XL" designation signifies **eXtra Life** and **eXtra performance** achieved through superior metallurgical purity, refined microstructure, and enhanced consistency. While conforming to the standard H13 chemistry, Nu-Die® XL undergoes advanced melting and processing techniques (such as vacuum degassing and controlled solidification) to drastically reduce non-metallic inclusions and minimize segregation. This results in a material with **superior thermal fatigue resistance, enhanced toughness, improved isotropy, and more predictable performance** compared to conventional H13. The primary goal of Nu-Die® XL is to extend die life and reduce unscheduled downtime in high-value production environments. By providing a cleaner, more homogeneous steel, it directly combats the initiation and propagation of heat-checking cracks, the dominant failure mode in hot work tooling. It is the material of choice for critical, high-stakes applications where maximizing production cycles and ensuring tooling reliability are paramount. --- ## **1. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** The composition adheres to the AISI H13 specification but is held to tighter tolerances with enhanced purity. | **Element** | **Carbon (C)** | **Chromium (Cr)** | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | **Vanadium (V)** | **Silicon (Si)** | **Manganese (Mn)** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Content** | 0.37 - 0.42 | 5.00 - 5.50 | 1.25 - 1.75 | 0.90 - 1.20 | 0.90 - 1.20 | 0.30 - 0.60 | | **Role** | Provides base strength and hardness. Optimized level ensures a balance of high-temperature strength and toughness. | Provides deep hardenability, hot hardness, and contributes to oxidation resistance. | Enhances hardenability, hot strength, and resistance to tempering; refines grain structure. | Forms fine, stable vanadium carbides that resist coarsening at high temperatures, enhancing wear resistance and hot strength. | Improves oxidation resistance and provides solid solution strengthening at elevated temperatures. | Aids in deoxidation and contributes to hardenability. | *Note: Iron (Fe) constitutes the remainder. Key differentiators are the **lower sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) content** and reduced oxide/sulfide inclusions, which are critical for toughness and thermal fatigue life.* --- ## **2. Physical & Mechanical Properties** *Properties are optimized for hot work service, typically at a hardened and tempered hardness of 44-48 HRC.* * **Density:** 7.80 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³) * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~210 GPa (30.5 x 10⁶ psi) * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~25 W/m·K at 20°C. Good heat dissipation helps reduce thermal gradients. * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** 11.5 x 10⁻⁶/°C (20-200°C) * **Thermal Fatigue Resistance:** **Exceptional.** The clean, homogeneous microstructure is the key feature, significantly delaying the onset and slowing the growth of heat-check cracks compared to standard H13. * **Toughness (Impact Strength):** **Superior.** Reduced inclusion content directly translates to higher Charpy impact values, both at room and elevated temperatures, providing greater resistance to mechanical and thermal shock. * **Hot Hardness & Temper Resistance:** **Excellent.** Maintains hardness well at operating temperatures up to ~540°C (1000°F). Consistent with premium H13. * **Isotropy:** **Excellent.** Mechanical properties are uniform in all directions (longitudinal and transverse), ensuring predictable performance throughout the die block. * **Machinability & Polishability:** **Very Good.** The cleaner steel allows for better surface finishes, easier polishing (critical for aluminum casting dies), and reduced tool wear during machining. --- ## **3. Heat Treatment** Follows standard H13 protocols but benefits from greater consistency and responsiveness. * **Annealing:** Heat to 845-870°C (1555-1600°F), slow cool. Annealed hardness: 192-229 HB. * **Stress Relieving:** 650-675°C (1200-1250°F), hold, then slow cool. * **Preheating:** **Critical.** Thorough preheat at 790-815°C (1450-1500°F). * **Austenitizing:** **995-1040°C (1825-1905°F).** A common range is **1010-1025°C (1850-1875°F)** for an optimal toughness/hardness balance. * **Quenching:** **Air quench** (forced air preferred) or high-pressure gas quench. The high hardenability ensures full transformation even in large sections with minimal distortion. * **Tempering:** **Mandatory Double or Triple Temper.** Temper immediately after quenching. **Minimum of two tempers**, each for 2+ hours. Must be tempered above **540°C (1000°F)** to develop secondary hardening and achieve proper toughness. A typical sequence for 44-48 HRC is **565-595°C (1050-1105°F)**. * **Critical:** Never use in the as-quenched state. --- ## **4. Key Applications** Nu-Die® XL is specified for critical, high-performance hot work tooling where failure is costly. * **High-Pressure Aluminum Die Casting:** Critical cores, cavities, and inserts for automotive structural components, engine blocks, and transmission cases. * **Large & Complex Zinc Die Casting Dies:** Tooling for high-volume consumer electronics and automotive trim. * **Demanding Hot Extrusion Dies:** Dies and mandrels for extruding high-strength aluminum alloys (e.g., 6000 & 7000 series) and copper alloys. * **Precision Forging Dies:** Dies for net-shape or near-net-shape forging of automotive and aerospace components. * **Advanced Plastic Molding:** Cores and cavities for high-temperature thermoplastics (e.g., PEEK) or abrasive filled materials. * **Tooling for Copper Alloy Continuous Casting:** Molds and downstream tooling. --- ## **5. International Standards & Cross-References** Nu-Die® XL is a premium quality version of AISI H13, often meeting or exceeding the requirements of special quality specifications. * **AISI/SAE:** **H13 (Premium Quality)** * **UNS:** T20813 * **European (EN):** **1.2344 (ESR)** – Electroslag Remelted quality denotes similar high purity. * **Japanese (JIS):** **SKD61 (Special Grade)** * **ISO:** HS 6-5-2-5 * **NADCA:** Often meets or exceeds the #207-2003 (Premium Grade) specification for die casting. * **Common Equivalents:** Uddeholm ORVAR 2M, Böhler W302, Daido DAC, Thyssenkrupp GS-344 ESU. --- ## **6. Advantages & Limitations** **Advantages (vs. Conventional H13):** * **Extended Die Life:** The primary benefit, often by 25-50% or more, due to superior thermal fatigue resistance. * **Higher Toughness & Impact Strength:** Greater resistance to catastrophic failure from shock or crack propagation. * **Improved Consistency & Predictability:** Reduced risk of premature failure from material defects. * **Better Polishability & Surface Finish:** Critical for aluminum die casting to prevent soldering and improve part release. * **Enhanced Machinability:** Cleaner steel reduces tool wear and can improve machining rates. **Limitations:** * **Higher Cost:** Premium quality commands a higher price, justified by extended tool life and reduced downtime. * **Same Functional Limits as H13:** Maximum service temperature (~540°C), moderate wear resistance, and susceptibility to decarburization still apply. * **Availability:** May have longer lead times than standard H13 grades. --- ## **7. Summary** **Crucible Nu-Die® XL is not merely an H13 steel; it is a performance-engineered solution for maximizing productivity in the most severe hot work applications.** By investing in the superior metallurgical quality of Nu-Die® XL, manufacturers of die casting, extrusion, and forging tools gain a decisive advantage: significantly longer tool life, reduced risk of unscheduled downtime, and more consistent, high-quality production output. For mission-critical tooling where failure costs far exceed material price, Nu-Die® XL delivers a demonstrable return on investment through unparalleled reliability and performance. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6965 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Crucible Steel Rod Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Crucible Steel Rod Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Crucible Steel Rod Nu-Die® XL (Premium Quality AISI H13) Tool Steel Rod -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and Steel Rod drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3436 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition