Steel 1.2343-ESR (Electro-slag remelted)
Grade
EN 1.2343 · UNS T20811 · AISI/SAE H11 · JIS SKD6 · GB 4Cr5MoSiV1
Specify for large die-casting dies, aerospace parts and polished mould surfaces where transverse toughness and cleanliness are critical.
Values for the ESR condition
Other 1.2343 tempers and conditions
1.2343 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.2343.
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 |
ESRThis page 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-ESR?
1.2343-ESR is 1.2343 in the ESR grade — specify for large die-casting dies, aerospace parts and polished mould surfaces where transverse toughness and cleanliness are critical. 1.2343-ESR has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2343-ESR 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 95% 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
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 76% of steel grades
1.2343-ESR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2343-ESR; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.2343 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2343-ESR 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-ESR has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
1.2343-ESR is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °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-ESR conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (19/100), better than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2343-ESR 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-ESR's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.2343-ESR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1.2343-ESR — frequently asked
What is 1.2343-ESR used for?
1.2343-ESR 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-ESR?
1.2343-ESR has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1.2343-ESR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% 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-ESR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). 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-ESR?
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-ESR 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-ESR?
1.2343-ESR is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2343-ESR?
Yes — 1.2343-ESR 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.