Description
Overview Of H13
Material Type: H13 is a **chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work tool steel** (air-hardening steel) known for its high toughness, thermal fatigue resistance, and wear resistance at elevated temperatures.
Common Forms: Available as wrought steel, castings, and metal powder (for 3D printing or thermal spray coatings).
Powder Chemical Composition(wt,-%)
Typical composition of H13 metal powder:
| Element | Content (%) |
| C | 0.32–0.45 |
| Cr | 4.75–5.50 |
| Mo | 1.10–1.75 |
| Si | 0.80–1.20 |
| V | 0.80–1.20 |
| Mn | 0.20–0.50 |
| Fe | Balance |
Heat Treatment
● Annealing: 845–900°C (1550–1650°F), followed by slow cooling.
● Hardening: 1000–1050°C (1830–1920°F), oil or air quenching.
● Tempering: 540–650°C (1000–1200°F) to achieve hardness of **45–55 HRC**.
Key Features
● High Thermal Stability: Retains hardness up to **600°C** (1112°F).
● Excellent Toughness: Resists cracking under thermal cycling.
● Wear Resistance: Suitable for high-stress applications.
● Machinability: Good in annealed condition; requires heat treatment for optimal performance.
Additive Manufacturing Suitability:
● Powder morphology: Spherical particles (15–53 μm size range).
● Low oxygen content (<300 ppm) for improved sintering or melting performance.
Primary Applications
H13 metal powder is widely used in:
● Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing):
– Tooling inserts, injection molds, and die-casting molds.
– Aerospace components requiring high-temperature resistance.
● Thermal Spray Coatings:
– Surface protection for industrial equipment.
● Powder Metallurgy:
– Production of wear-resistant parts (e.g., gears, cutting tools).
● Hot-Work Tooling:
– Extrusion dies, forging dies, and aluminum die-casting molds.
Notes
● H13 metal powder is preferred for complex mold geometries in 3D printing due to its balanced thermal and mechanical properties.
● Post-processing (e.g., HIP, surface finishing) is often required to eliminate porosity and enhance durability.
