Steel 1.2344 · heat-treated state
Steel 1.2344 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 1.2344 tempers.
General-purpose working hardness for die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling: best balance of hot strength and toughness.
What is 1.2344 Q&T?
1.2344 Q&T is 1.2344 heat treated to Q&T — general-purpose working hardness for die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling: best balance of hot strength and toughness. 1.2344 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2344 Q&T 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; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 540°C (1,004 °F), better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% 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 87% of steel grades
1.2344 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2344 Q&T — 16 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.2344 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.2344 Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2344 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 540°C (1,004 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2344 Q&T conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2344 Q&T takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.7 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.2344 Q&T's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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 1.2344 tempers and conditions
1.2344 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.2344 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for bar, plate and blocks; machine to shape here, then harden and temper.500 MPa yield · 215 HB
- Q&T 52-54 HRCUse only for small wear-dominated tools (hot punches, mandrels, shear knives) where impact loading is low.1,650 MPa yield · 53 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedHigher-hardness tooling condition for wear-critical punches, shear blades and plastic-mould inserts.1,550 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- Q&TGeneral-purpose working hardness for die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling: best balance of hot strength and toughness.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Q&T 44-46 HRCPick for large aluminium die-casting dies and forging dies where thermal-fatigue cracking, not wear, is the failure mode.1,250 MPa yield · 45 HRC
Working with 1.2344 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 1.2344 Q&T used for?
1.2344 Q&T 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 Q&T?
1.2344 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2344 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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 Q&T be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
1.2344 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 540°C (1,004 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2344 Q&T?
Yes — 1.2344 Q&T 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.