Latrobe,LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12)

Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12) Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel (ASTM H12) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel** ## **Premium Tungsten-Chromium Hot Work Steel for High Temperature Applications** Latrobe LSS™ H12 is a premium tungsten-chromium hot work tool steel engineered for exceptional performance in high-temperature applications requiring superior hot hardness and wear resistance. As an ASTM H12 grade, it combines the benefits of tungsten and chromium alloying to deliver excellent resistance to softening at elevated temperatures, making it particularly suitable for hot forging, extrusion, and die casting applications where tools are subjected to severe thermal and mechanical stresses. This grade represents an optimal choice for applications where both high-temperature strength and wear resistance are critical requirements. --- ### **Key Features & Benefits** - **Excellent Hot Hardness**: Superior resistance to softening at temperatures up to 600°C (1110°F) - **Good Wear Resistance**: Tungsten content provides enhanced abrasion resistance in hot working conditions - **Good Thermal Fatigue Resistance**: Withstands repeated thermal cycling in demanding applications - **Moderate Toughness**: Balanced combination of hardness and impact resistance - **Good Dimensional Stability**: Minimal distortion during heat treatment and in service - **Versatile Application Range**: Suitable for various hot work processes --- ### **Chemical Composition (Typical %, ASTM A681 H12)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Tungsten (W) | Chromium (Cr) | Vanadium (V) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Other Elements | |---------|------------|--------------|---------------|--------------|-----------------|----------------| | **Content** | 0.30 - 0.40 | 1.25 - 1.75 | 4.75 - 5.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.25 - 1.75 | Si: 0.80-1.20
Mn: 0.20-0.60 | *Note: LSS™ H12 features a balanced tungsten-chromium-molybdenum composition that provides excellent hot hardness while maintaining adequate toughness. The tungsten content distinguishes it from other chromium hot work steels, contributing to superior high-temperature performance.* --- ### **Physical & Mechanical Properties** | Property | Value / Description | |----------|---------------------| | **Density** | 7.85 g/cm³ | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 26-30 W/m·K at 20°C | | **Specific Heat Capacity** | 0.46 kJ/kg·K at 20°C | | **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion** | 11.0 × 10⁻⁶/K (20-400°C) | | **Hardness (Annealed)** | 192-229 HB | | **Hardness (Heat Treated)** | **45-52 HRC** (typical working range) | | **Hot Hardness Retention** | Maintains good hardness up to 600°C (1110°F) | | **Tensile Strength** | 1,650-2,000 MPa (at 48 HRC) | | **Yield Strength** | 1,450-1,800 MPa (at 48 HRC) | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 205-215 GPa | | **Impact Toughness** | Good – balanced for hot work applications | --- ### **Heat Treatment Guidelines** #### **Annealing** - **Temperature**: 850-880°C (1560-1615°F) - **Method**: Slow furnace cool at ≤22°C (40°F) per hour to 600°C (1110°F), then air cool - **Resultant Hardness**: 192-229 HB #### **Stress Relieving** - **Temperature**: 650-680°C (1200-1255°F) - **Hold Time**: 1-2 hours per inch of thickness - **Cooling**: Air cool to room temperature #### **Hardening** 1. **Preheating**: 650-750°C (1200-1380°F) – thorough equalization 2. **Austenitizing**: **1000-1030°C (1830-1885°F)** – precise control recommended 3. **Soak Time**: 20-40 minutes per inch of thickness 4. **Quenching**: Air or oil quenching; air hardening capability 5. **Immediate Handling**: Cool to 50-65°C (120-150°F) before tempering #### **Tempering** - **Temperature Range**: 540-650°C (1005-1200°F) - **Cycles**: Double tempering recommended for dimensional stability - **Duration**: 2 hours per cycle minimum, air cool between cycles - **Target Hardness**: 45-52 HRC typically achieved at 540-620°C (1005-1150°F) - **Special Note**: Higher tempering temperatures enhance toughness --- ### **International Standards & Equivalent Grades** | Standard | Grade Designation | Notes | |----------|-------------------|-------| | **ASTM** | A681 H12 | Primary specification (UNS T20812) | | **ISO** | 32CrMoV12-28 | ISO 4957 designation | | **DIN** | 1.2606 / X30WCrV9-3 | German standard | | **JIS** | SKD62 | Japanese industrial standard | | **AFNOR** | 30WCrV9 | French association standard | | **GB** | 4Cr5W2VSi | Chinese equivalent | | **UNS** | T20812 | Unified Numbering System | --- ### **Typical Applications** #### **Hot Forging Industry** - **Forging Dies**: For steel, titanium, and superalloy forging - **Forging Die Inserts**: Where high temperature wear resistance is critical - **Trimming and Punching Dies**: For hot forging operations - **Forging Mandrels and Punches**: Subject to high temperature wear #### **Extrusion Applications** - **Copper and Brass Extrusion Dies**: Where high temperatures are encountered - **Steel Extrusion Components**: Mandrels, containers, liners - **High-Temperature Extrusion Tools**: For specialized materials #### **Die Casting Tooling** - **Copper and Brass Die Casting Dies**: High temperature applications - **Die Casting Cores and Inserts**: Subject to severe thermal conditions - **Hot Chamber Components**: For non-ferrous die casting #### **Specialized Hot Work Applications** - **Hot Piercing Punches**: For tube manufacturing - **Hot Shear Blades**: For cutting high temperature materials - **Hot Forming Tools**: For high temperature metal forming - **Glass Molding Tools**: Where elevated temperatures are maintained #### **Aerospace and Power Generation** - **Turbine Components**: Subject to high temperature service - **High Temperature Fixtures**: For heat treatment and processing - **Specialized Tooling**: For advanced material processing --- ### **Machining & Fabrication Notes** #### **Machinability (Annealed Condition)** - **Rating**: 60-70% of B1112 free-machining steel - **Recommended Tools**: HSS or carbide tools both suitable - **Cutting Speeds**: 20-30 m/min (65-100 SFM) for turning operations - **Feed Rates**: Moderate feeds with standard tool geometries - **Coolant**: Standard soluble oils adequate #### **Grindability** - **Relative Rating**: 70-80 (vs. 100 for annealed O1 tool steel) - **Abrasive Recommendations**: Standard aluminum oxide wheels - **Wheel Maintenance**: Normal dressing intervals sufficient - **Coolant**: Standard grinding coolant adequate #### **EDM Machining** - Suitable for wire and sinker EDM operations - Standard EDM parameters apply - Stress relief after roughing operations recommended #### **Welding and Repair** - Moderate weldability with proper procedures - Preheating to 300-400°C (570-750°F) essential - Post-weld heat treatment mandatory - Suitable for repair of hot work tools --- ### **Quality Assurance & Metallurgical Standards** #### **Microstructural Requirements** - **Carbide Distribution**: Fine, uniformly distributed carbides - **Grain Size**: ASTM 6 or finer - **Decarburization**: ≤0.25 mm per side on rough stock - **Non-Metallic Inclusions**: ASTM E45 Method A, ≤2.5 total rating #### **Testing & Certification** - Full chemical analysis verification - Hardness testing throughout production - Microstructural evaluation available upon request - Standard material test reports with shipments --- ### **Available Product Forms** | Form | Standard Sizes | Condition | Surface Finish | |------|---------------|-----------|---------------| | **Round Bars** | 10mm - 500mm diameter | Annealed | Black, Peeled, Ground | | **Flat Bars and Plate** | 10-300mm thickness | Annealed | Mill, Ground, Machined | | **Blocks** | Various dimensions | Annealed | Rough or finish machined | | **Forged Blanks** | Custom dimensions | Annealed | As-forged, Machined | --- ### **Technical Comparison** | Property | LSS™ H12 | H13 | H11 | H21 | |----------|-----------|-----|-----|-----| | **Hot Hardness** | Very Good | Good | Good | **Excellent** | | **Wear Resistance** | Very Good | Very Good | Good | **Excellent** | | **Toughness** | Good | Good | **Excellent** | Fair | | **Thermal Fatigue Resistance** | Good | **Excellent** | Very Good | Fair | | **Cost Effectiveness** | Good | Very Good | Very Good | Fair | | **Primary Application** | High-temp forging | Die casting | Extrusion | High-temp forming | --- ### **Surface Treatment Compatibility** LSS™ H12 is compatible with various surface treatments: - **Nitriding**: Gas, plasma, or salt bath nitriding for enhanced surface hardness - **Coatings**: PVD and CVD coatings for specific applications - **Surface Engineering**: Various treatments to enhance high temperature performance --- ### **Economic Considerations** 1. **Material Cost**: Moderate – cost-effective for high temperature applications 2. **Tool Life**: Good service life in appropriate high temperature applications 3. **Maintenance Cost**: Moderate maintenance requirements 4. **Overall Value**: Excellent performance-to-cost ratio for high temperature applications --- ### **Technical Support** Latrobe provides technical support for LSS™ H12 applications: - **Application Engineering**: Guidance on tool design and heat treatment - **Troubleshooting**: Assistance with tool performance issues - **Heat Treatment Support**: Protocols for optimal performance - **Field Support**: On-site technical assistance available --- **Select Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel** for applications requiring excellent hot hardness and wear resistance at elevated temperatures. This tungsten-chromium hot work steel provides reliable performance in demanding applications such as hot forging, high-temperature extrusion, and die casting where tools are subjected to severe thermal conditions. LSS™ H12 represents an optimal balance of high-temperature strength, wear resistance, and moderate toughness, offering good service life in appropriate applications. When elevated temperature performance and wear resistance are primary requirements in hot work applications, LSS™ H12 delivers proven performance and excellent value. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel (ASTM H12) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <7167 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. -: Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel (ASTM H12) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Latrobe LSS™ H12 Hot Work Tool Steel Wire (ASTM H12) -:- 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 Wire 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 3638 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