Steel 1.2344 ESR Annealed
Grade
EN 1.2344 · JIS SKD61
Choose for large die-casting dies and mirror-polished moulds needing low inclusion content, isotropic toughness and NADCA #207 cleanliness.
Values for the ESR Annealed condition
Other 1.2344 tempers and conditions
1.2344 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.2344.
- Annealed
- ESR Annealed
- Q&T 44-46 HRC
- Q&T
- Nitrided
- Q&T 52-54 HRC
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed supply condition (≤235 HB) | Standard stock condition for bar, plate and blocks; machine to shape here, then harden and temper. | 500 | 800 | 20 | 215 HB | — |
ESR AnnealedThis page electro-slag remelted premium grade, annealed | Choose for large die-casting dies and mirror-polished moulds needing low inclusion content, isotropic toughness and NADCA #207 cleanliness. | 510 | 800 | 22 | 16 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
High-temper, maximum-toughness condition | Pick for large aluminium die-casting dies and forging dies where thermal-fatigue cracking, not wear, is the failure mode. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 12 | 45 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose working hardness for die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling: best balance of hot strength and toughness. | 1,450 | 1,700 | 10 | 48 HRC | 24 W/m·K |
Q&T then gas/plasma nitrided surface (900–1100 HV case) | Surface treatment on top of Q&T tooling to raise wear and soldering resistance in aluminium die casting and extrusion dies. | 1,450 | 1,700 | 9 | 48 HRC | — |
Low-temper, maximum-hardness condition | Use only for small wear-dominated tools (hot punches, mandrels, shear knives) where impact loading is low. | 1,650 | 2,000 | 5 | 53 HRC | — |
What is 1.2344 ESR Annealed?
1.2344 ESR Annealed is 1.2344 in the ESR Annealed grade — choose for large die-casting dies and mirror-polished moulds needing low inclusion content, isotropic toughness and NADCA #207 cleanliness. 1.2344 ESR Annealed has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2344 ESR Annealed has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,427°C (2,601 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESR Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades
1.2344 ESR Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2344 ESR Annealed; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.2344 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2344 ESR Annealed has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,427°C (2,601 °F).
Mechanical15
1.2344 ESR Annealed has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2344 ESR Annealed 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 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2344 ESR Annealed conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2344 ESR Annealed takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.7 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.2344 ESR Annealed's machinability is fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.2344 ESR Annealed
Is 1.2344 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm stock for post-hardening grinding/EDM, and stress-relieve rough-machined blocks before hardening.
Can 1.2344 be welded?
Weldable for repair only: preheat and hold at 300–450 °C, use matched H13 filler, weld continuously and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
Can 1.2344 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 750–800 °C; austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/oil/vacuum quench, then double or triple temper (550–650 °C) to the target hardness.
What surface finishes work on 1.2344?
Not stainless — protect with oil, phosphate or black oxide; nitriding, nitrocarburizing or PVD (CrN/AlTiN) is standard for die surfaces, and ESR grades take a mirror polish for plastic moulds.
1.2344 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAISI H13 allows 0.32–0.45 | 0.37 – 0.43 | 0.4 |
| Si | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Cr | 4.8 – 5.5 | 5.2 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.5 | 1.3 |
| V | 0.85 – 1.15 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; premium/ESR typically ≤0.005 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2344 ESR Annealed — frequently asked
What is 1.2344 ESR Annealed used for?
1.2344 ESR Annealed is typically used for die casting dies and inserts, hot extrusion dies and punches, forging dies, plastic injection mould cavities, die casting cores and pins and hot shear blades. In short: hot-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of 1.2344 ESR Annealed?
1.2344 ESR Annealed has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1.2344 ESR Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm stock for post-hardening grinding/EDM, and stress-relieve rough-machined blocks before hardening.
Can 1.2344 ESR Annealed be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). Weldable for repair only: preheat and hold at 300–450 °C, use matched H13 filler, weld continuously and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1.2344 ESR Annealed?
Not stainless — protect with oil, phosphate or black oxide; nitriding, nitrocarburizing or PVD (CrN/AlTiN) is standard for die surfaces, and ESR grades take a mirror polish for plastic moulds.
Can 1.2344 ESR Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 750–800 °C; austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/oil/vacuum quench, then double or triple temper (550–650 °C) to the target hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2344 ESR Annealed?
1.2344 ESR Annealed 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2344 ESR Annealed?
Yes — 1.2344 ESR Annealed 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 (X40CrMoV5-1) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels (H13) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (4Cr5MoSiV1) — SAC (2014)
- JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels (SKD61) — JIS (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Böhler W302 / Uddeholm Orvar Supreme hot-work tool steel datasheets — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl / Uddeholm (2023)
- NADCA #207 — Special Quality Die Steel and Heat Treatment Acceptance Criteria — NADCA (2016)
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.