Steel 1.2343
EN 1.2343 · UNS T20811 · AISI/SAE H11 · JIS SKD6 · GB 4Cr5MoSiV1
1.2343 (H11, X37CrMoV5-1) is a 5 % chromium hot-work tool steel with molybdenum and vanadium, essentially H13 with slightly lower carbon for higher toughness.
Values for the Annealed condition
1.2343 tempers and conditions
1.2343 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
rough machined then held 600–650 °C, slow cool | Intermediate step on large dies to limit distortion during subsequent hardening. | 495 | 790 | 16 | 15 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (as-supplied bar/plate, ≤229 HB) | Standard stocked delivery condition for rough machining of dies before hardening. | 500 | 800 | 16 | 15 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
Electro-slag remelted | Specify for large die-casting dies, aerospace parts and polished mould surfaces where transverse toughness and cleanliness are critical. | 520 | 810 | 18 | 20 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
Hardened ~1000–1030 °C, double tempered ~600–620 °C | Toughest working condition — aluminium die-casting dies, hot-forging inserts, extrusion tooling exposed to thermal shock. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 12 | 42 HRC | — |
Hardened and double tempered ~590–605 °C | Balanced toughness/strength for large forging dies and heavily loaded hot-work inserts. | 1,270 | 1,500 | 11 | 45 HRC | — |
Q&T core plus gas/plasma nitrided case (0.1–0.3 mm) | Choose for die-casting and extrusion dies needing erosion/soldering and wear resistance on a tough core. | 1,300 | 1,500 | 8 | 45 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
Hardened and double tempered ~570–590 °C | Common general-purpose hot-work hardness: extrusion dies, die-casting cores, plastic-mould inserts. | 1,380 | 1,620 | 10 | 47 HRC | — |
Hardened and double tempered ~550–570 °C | Higher strength/wear for shear blades, punches and warm-forming tools with moderate impact. | 1,480 | 1,740 | 9 | 49 HRC | — |
Hardened and double tempered ~530–550 °C | Maximum practical working hardness for H11 — wear-dominated tooling, cold-work punches, aerospace structural parts. | 1,570 | 1,860 | 8 | 51 HRC | — |
What is 1.2343?
1.2343 (H11, X37CrMoV5-1) is a 5 % chromium hot-work tool steel with molybdenum and vanadium, essentially H13 with slightly lower carbon for higher toughness. Engineers choose it for die-casting and forging dies that see thermal cycling and mechanical shock; it is supplied as annealed or pre-hardened bar and plate, in ESR quality, and as powder for additive tooling. It heat treats to 40–52 HRC and holds strength to about 400 °C, but it is not corrosion resistant and is only repair-weldable. Use 1.2344/H13 when wear resistance matters more than toughness. 1.2343 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 1.2343 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 1.2343 used for?
- Aluminium die-casting dies
- Forging dies and die inserts
- Die-casting cores, pins and inserts
- Hot extrusion dies and mandrels
- Hot shear blades and trim tools
- Hot punches and piercing tools
- Additively built conformally cooled tooling
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
1.2343 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2343-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2343 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical17
1.2343 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
1.2343 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2343 conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2343 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
1.2343's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.2343 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.2343
Is 1.2343 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups and coated carbide (positive rake, 80–140 m/min); above 45 HRC switch to hard turning/CBN or EDM plus stress relief.
Can 1.2343 be welded?
Weldable only for repair: preheat and interpass 350–450 °C, matching 1.2343/H11 filler or Ni-base for buttering, temper immediately 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
Can 1.2343 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–850 °C with slow cooling in furnace or vermiculite; no meaningful cold formability — harden 1000–1030 °C, air/vacuum quench, then temper twice (min. 2 h each) for the target hardness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1.2343. Every 1.2343 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
1.2343 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.33 – 0.41 | 0.37 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.25 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Cr | 4.8 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.5 | 1.3 |
| V | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.2343?
Takes a fine polish (better in ESR quality); protect with nitriding, hard chrome or PVD CrN/AlTiN — not anodizable and will rust without oil or coating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1.2343 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T20811
- AISI / SAE
- H11
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X37CrMoV5-1X38CrMoV5-1
- GB (China)
- 4Cr5MoSiV1
- JIS
- SKD6
How much does 1.2343 cost?
1.2343 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.2343 — frequently asked
What is 1.2343 used for?
1.2343 is typically used for aluminium die-casting dies, forging dies and die inserts, die-casting cores, pins and inserts, hot extrusion dies and mandrels, hot shear blades and trim tools and hot punches and piercing tools. In short: hot-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of 1.2343?
1.2343 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1.2343 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups and coated carbide (positive rake, 80–140 m/min); above 45 HRC switch to hard turning/CBN or EDM plus stress relief.
Can 1.2343 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable only for repair: preheat and interpass 350–450 °C, matching 1.2343/H11 filler or Ni-base for buttering, temper immediately 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 1.2343?
Takes a fine polish (better in ESR quality); protect with nitriding, hard chrome or PVD CrN/AlTiN — not anodizable and will rust without oil or coating.
Can 1.2343 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–850 °C with slow cooling in furnace or vermiculite; no meaningful cold formability — harden 1000–1030 °C, air/vacuum quench, then temper twice (min. 2 h each) for the target hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2343?
1.2343 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.2343 Annealed and 1.2343-ESR?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked delivery condition for rough machining of dies before hardening. ESR: specify for large die-casting dies, aerospace parts and polished mould surfaces where transverse toughness and cleanliness are critical. Yield strength is 500 MPa in Annealed versus 520 MPa in ESR.
How much does 1.2343 cost?
1.2343 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2343?
Yes — 1.2343 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X37CrMoV5-1) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy tool steels (H11) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (4Cr5MoSiV) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (H-group tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Hot-work tool steel 1.2343 / H11 datasheets (Böhler W302-class, Voestalpine, Dörrenberg) — producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.