Steel 1.2343 · hardness band
Steel 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 46-48 HRC condition, compared with the other 1.2343 tempers.
Common general-purpose hot-work hardness: extrusion dies, die-casting cores, plastic-mould inserts.
What is 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC?
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC is 1.2343 heat treated to Q&T 46-48 HRC — common general-purpose hot-work hardness: extrusion dies, die-casting cores, plastic-mould inserts. 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC has a yield strength of 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC 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; Q&T 46-48 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,380 MPa (200 ksi), better than 96% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 530°C (986 °F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.2343 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC 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).
Mechanical14
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC has a yield strength of 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC is rated for continuous service to 530°C (986 °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).
Electrical2
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC has an electrical resistivity of 5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC 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 Q&T 46-48 HRC's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1.2343 tempers and conditions
1.2343 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.2343 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked delivery condition for rough machining of dies before hardening.500 MPa yield · 205 HB
- Q&T 50-52 HRCMaximum practical working hardness for H11 — wear-dominated tooling, cold-work punches, aerospace structural parts.1,570 MPa yield · 51 HRC
- Q&T 48-50 HRCHigher strength/wear for shear blades, punches and warm-forming tools with moderate impact.1,480 MPa yield · 49 HRC
- Q&T 46-48 HRCCommon general-purpose hot-work hardness: extrusion dies, die-casting cores, plastic-mould inserts.1,380 MPa yield · 47 HRC
- Q&T 44-46 HRCBalanced toughness/strength for large forging dies and heavily loaded hot-work inserts.1,270 MPa yield · 45 HRC
- Q&T 40-44 HRCToughest working condition — aluminium die-casting dies, hot-forging inserts, extrusion tooling exposed to thermal shock.1,150 MPa yield · 42 HRC
Working with 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC
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 Q&T 46-48 HRC — frequently asked
What is 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC used for?
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC 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 Q&T 46-48 HRC?
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 98% 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 Q&T 46-48 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). 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 Q&T 46-48 HRC?
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 Q&T 46-48 HRC 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 Q&T 46-48 HRC?
1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 530°C (986 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC?
Yes — 1.2343 Q&T 46-48 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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.