Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13)

Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Latrobe LSS™ H13 Hot Work Tool Steel** ## **Premium Chromium-Molybdenum-Vanadium Hot Work Steel – The Industry Standard** Latrobe LSS™ H13 is the industry-leading chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steel renowned for its exceptional balance of thermal fatigue resistance, high-temperature strength, and toughness. As the most widely used ASTM H13 grade worldwide, it has become the benchmark for aluminum die casting, extrusion, and forging applications. This versatile steel offers superior performance across a broad temperature range while maintaining excellent machinability and dimensional stability during heat treatment. --- ### **Key Features & Benefits** - **Exceptional Thermal Fatigue Resistance**: Outstanding resistance to heat checking and thermal cracking from repeated temperature cycling - **Excellent Combination of Toughness and Hardness**: Optimal balance for demanding hot work applications - **Good High-Temperature Strength**: Maintains mechanical properties up to 600°C (1110°F) - **Superior Heat Treatment Response**: Air-hardening capability with minimal distortion - **Good Wear Resistance**: Adequate abrasion resistance for most hot work applications - **Excellent Machinability**: Superior machinability in annealed condition compared to other hot work steels --- ### **Chemical Composition (Typical %, ASTM A681 H13)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Vanadium (V) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | |---------|------------|---------------|-----------------|--------------|--------------|----------------| | **Content** | 0.32 - 0.45 | 4.75 - 5.50 | 1.10 - 1.75 | 0.80 - 1.20 | 0.80 - 1.20 | 0.20 - 0.60 | *Note: LSS™ H13 features a precisely balanced chromium-molybdenum-vanadium composition that provides the optimal combination of thermal fatigue resistance, toughness, and hot hardness. The higher vanadium content compared to H11 provides improved wear resistance while maintaining excellent toughness.* --- ### **Physical & Mechanical Properties** | Property | Value / Description | |----------|---------------------| | **Density** | 7.80 g/cm³ | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 24-28 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)** | **44-52 HRC** (typical working range) | | **High-Temperature Yield Strength** | ≥ 1000 MPa at 540°C (1000°F) | | **Tensile Strength** | 1,650-2,050 MPa (at 48 HRC) | | **Yield Strength** | 1,450-1,850 MPa (at 48 HRC) | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 205-215 GPa | | **Impact Toughness** | Very Good – optimized balance for hot work applications | --- ### **Heat Treatment Guidelines** #### **Annealing** - **Temperature**: 845-900°C (1555-1650°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 - **Special Note**: Full annealing recommended for maximum machinability #### **Stress Relieving** - **Temperature**: 650-675°C (1200-1245°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)** – air hardening capability 3. **Soak Time**: 20-40 minutes per inch of thickness (depending on section size) 4. **Quenching**: Air cooling standard; oil or forced air for maximum hardness 5. **Immediate Handling**: Cool to below 65°C (150°F) before tempering #### **Tempering** - **Temperature Range**: 540-650°C (1005-1200°F) - **Cycles**: Double tempering mandatory; triple tempering recommended for critical applications - **Duration**: 2 hours per cycle minimum, air cool between cycles - **Target Hardness**: 44-52 HRC typically achieved at 560-620°C (1040-1150°F) - **Special Note**: Higher tempering temperatures provide maximum toughness --- ### **International Standards & Equivalent Grades** | Standard | Grade Designation | Notes | |----------|-------------------|-------| | **ASTM** | A681 H13 | Primary specification (UNS T20813) | | **ISO** | 40CrMoV5-1 | ISO 4957 designation | | **DIN** | 1.2344 / X40CrMoV5-1 | German standard | | **JIS** | SKD61 | Japanese industrial standard | | **AFNOR** | X40CrMoV5 | French association standard | | **GB** | 4Cr5MoSiV1 | Chinese equivalent | | **UNS** | T20813 | Unified Numbering System | | **AISI** | H13 | American Iron and Steel Institute | --- ### **Typical Applications** #### **Aluminum Die Casting (Primary Application)** - **Die Casting Dies**: Cavities, cores, inserts, and ejector pins for aluminum casting - **Shot Sleeves and Plunger Tips**: Critical components in die casting machines - **Hot Runner Systems**: Nozzles, manifolds, and gates - **Die Casting Inserts**: Core pins, slides, and wear plates #### **Extrusion Industry** - **Aluminum Extrusion Dies**: Profile dies, feeder plates, backers, and bolsters - **Extrusion Mandrels**: For tube and hollow profile production - **Containers and Liners**: For aluminum extrusion presses - **Die Holders and Bolsters**: Structural components #### **Forging Applications** - **Hammer and Press Forging Dies**: For steel and non-ferrous metals - **Forging Die Inserts**: Requiring thermal fatigue resistance - **Trimming and Punching Dies**: For hot forging operations - **Forging Tooling**: Various hot work tooling components #### **Plastic Molding** - **Injection Molds**: For engineering plastics and high-temperature polymers - **Hot Runner Systems**: Complete hot runner components - **Mold Inserts and Cores**: For demanding applications #### **General Hot Work Applications** - **Hot Shear Blades**: For cutting hot materials - **Hot Forming Tools**: Punches, dies, and mandrels - **Glass Molding Tools**: Where thermal cycling is involved - **Powder Metal Compaction Tools**: For high-temperature compaction --- ### **Machining & Fabrication Notes** #### **Machinability (Annealed Condition)** - **Rating**: 65-75% of B1112 free-machining steel - **Recommended Tools**: HSS or carbide tools both suitable - **Cutting Speeds**: 25-35 m/min (80-115 SFM) for turning operations - **Feed Rates**: Moderate feeds with standard tool geometries - **Coolant**: Standard soluble oils adequate - **Advantage**: Excellent machinability for a hot work steel #### **Grindability** - **Relative Rating**: 75-85 (vs. 100 for annealed O1 tool steel) - **Abrasive Recommendations**: Aluminum oxide or CBN wheels - **Wheel Maintenance**: Normal dressing intervals sufficient - **Coolant**: Standard grinding coolant adequate #### **EDM Machining** - Excellent suitability for wire and sinker EDM - Consistent material removal characteristics - Good surface finish achievable - Stress relief after roughing operations recommended #### **Welding and Repair** - Good weldability with proper procedures - Preheating to 300-400°C (570-750°F) recommended - Post-weld heat treatment essential - Widely used for die repair and maintenance --- ### **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, ≤2.0 total rating - **Microcleanliness**: Enhanced standards available for critical applications #### **Testing & Certification** - Full chemical analysis verification - Hardness testing throughout production - Microstructural evaluation available - Ultrasonic testing available for critical applications - Certified material test reports with shipments --- ### **Available Product Forms** | Form | Standard Sizes | Condition | Surface Finish | |------|---------------|-----------|---------------| | **Round Bars** | 10mm - 600mm 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 | - **Pre-Machined Components** | Customer specifications | Annealed | Machined to print | --- ### **Technical Comparison** | Property | LSS™ H13 | H11 | H10 | H21 | |----------|-----------|-----|-----|-----| | **Thermal Fatigue Resistance** | **Excellent** | Very Good | Very Good | Fair | | **Toughness** | Very Good | **Excellent** | Very Good | Fair | | **High-Temperature Strength** | Very Good | Good | Good | **Excellent** | | **Wear Resistance** | Very Good | Good | Good | **Excellent** | | **Machinability** | **Excellent** | Very Good | Good | Fair | | **Cost Effectiveness** | **Excellent** | Very Good | Very Good | Fair | --- ### **Surface Treatment Compatibility** LSS™ H13 is highly compatible with various surface treatments: - **Nitriding**: Gas, plasma, or salt bath nitriding for enhanced surface hardness (typically 1000-1200 HV) - **Coatings**: PVD (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN) and CVD coatings for specific applications - **Surface Engineering**: Various treatments to enhance performance and service life --- ### **Economic Considerations** 1. **Material Cost**: Very competitive – industry standard pricing 2. **Tool Life**: Excellent service life in appropriate applications 3. **Fabrication Cost**: Low machining and grinding costs 4. **Maintenance Cost**: Easy to repair and maintain 5. **Availability**: Excellent availability in various forms and sizes 6. **Overall Value**: Outstanding performance-to-cost ratio --- ### **Technical Support Services** Latrobe provides comprehensive technical support for LSS™ H13: - **Application Engineering**: Expert guidance on tool design and application - **Heat Treatment Optimization**: Custom protocols for specific requirements - **Troubleshooting Support**: Assistance with tool performance issues - **Field Service**: On-site technical assistance available - **Training Programs**: Technical seminars and workshops --- **Select Latrobe LSS™ H13 Hot Work Tool Steel** as the proven industry standard for demanding hot work applications. This versatile chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel delivers the optimal balance of thermal fatigue resistance, toughness, and high-temperature strength that has made it the worldwide choice for aluminum die casting, extrusion, and forging applications. LSS™ H13 offers reliable performance, excellent machinability, and predictable heat treatment response, making it the most cost-effective solution for a wide range of hot work tooling requirements. When performance, reliability, and value must come together, LSS™ H13 stands as the benchmark hot work tool steel that continues to set industry standards. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <7168 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™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Latrobe LSS™ H13 Tool Steel (ASTM H13) -:- 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 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 3639 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