Steel 1.2363-ESR
Grade
EN 1.2363 · AISI/SAE A2
ESR = electroslag remelted (premium cleanliness) bar/plate
Specify for large blocks, EDM-heavy tooling or polished surfaces where inclusion cleanliness and isotropy matter.
Values for the ESR condition
Other 1.2363 tempers and conditions
1.2363 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.2363.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (spheroidized), ≤ 250 HB | Standard delivery condition for bar, plate and flat stock; machine to shape here, then harden. | 500 | 790 | 16 | 220 HB | — |
Annealed, precision ground flat stock / drill rod | Choose when you want ready-to-machine ground blanks with tight thickness tolerance and low decarburized skin. | 500 | 790 | 16 | 20 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
ESRThis page Electroslag remelted (premium cleanliness) bar/plate | Specify for large blocks, EDM-heavy tooling or polished surfaces where inclusion cleanliness and isotropy matter. | 510 | 790 | 18 | 20 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Hardened + tempered ~560 °C | Maximum-toughness setting for thick-section, impact-loaded cold-work tools and thread rolling dies. | 1,600 | 1,850 | 4 | 55 HRC | — |
Hardened + tempered ~540 °C | Tougher setting for shear blades, heavier punches and tools prone to chipping. | 1,700 | 1,950 | 3 | 57 HRC | — |
Hardened + tempered ~500 °C | Best choice when tools are nitrided/PVD-coated or must resist warm service up to ~450 °C. | 1,800 | 2,050 | 2 | 59 HRC | — |
Hardened + tempered 175–200 °C | Maximum wear resistance for blanking punches and dies working at room temperature. | 1,900 | 2,200 | 1 | 61 HRC | 20 W/m·K |
Hardened + deep cryogenic treatment + temper | Sub-zero step converts retained austenite for gauges and precision punches needing extreme dimensional stability and peak hardness. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 1 | 63 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is 1.2363-ESR?
1.2363-ESR is 1.2363 in the ESR grade — specify for large blocks, EDM-heavy tooling or polished surfaces where inclusion cleanliness and isotropy matter. 1.2363-ESR has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1.2363-ESR has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.8 % IACS, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% 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
1.2363-ESR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2363-ESR; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.2363 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1.2363-ESR has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
1.2363-ESR has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2363-ESR is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2363-ESR conducts electricity at 2.8 % IACS, worse than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2363-ESR takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
1.2363-ESR's machinability is fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.2363-ESR
Is 1.2363 easy to machine?
Machine fully in the annealed condition with rigid setups and coated carbide; hardened tools require grinding, EDM or CBN, and EDM'd surfaces should be stoned and stress-relieved.
Can 1.2363 be welded?
Only repair welding with matched 5%Cr filler: preheat 300–400 °C, weld hot, then temper 25 °C below the previous tempering temperature.
Can 1.2363 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 1050→850 °C with slow furnace cooling; cold forming is impractical — shape by machining, then air harden from 940–980 °C for near-zero distortion.
What surface finishes work on 1.2363?
Cannot be anodized; use nitriding, black oxide/phosphate, hard chrome or PVD TiN/CrN, and always oil annealed stock to prevent rust.
1.2363 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 | 0.95 – 1.05 | 1 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 4.8 – 5.5 | 5.15 |
| Mo | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| V | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2363-ESR — frequently asked
What is 1.2363-ESR used for?
1.2363-ESR is typically used for punches, cutting dies and forming tools. In short: air-hardening, low distortion; A2-equivalent cold-work steel; tougher than D2.
What is the yield strength of 1.2363-ESR?
1.2363-ESR has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 1.2363-ESR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades). Machine fully in the annealed condition with rigid setups and coated carbide; hardened tools require grinding, EDM or CBN, and EDM'd surfaces should be stoned and stress-relieved.
Can 1.2363-ESR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Only repair welding with matched 5%Cr filler: preheat 300–400 °C, weld hot, then temper 25 °C below the previous tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 1.2363-ESR?
Cannot be anodized; use nitriding, black oxide/phosphate, hard chrome or PVD TiN/CrN, and always oil annealed stock to prevent rust.
Can 1.2363-ESR be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 1050→850 °C with slow furnace cooling; cold forming is impractical — shape by machining, then air harden from 940–980 °C for near-zero distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2363-ESR?
1.2363-ESR is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.2363 Annealed and 1.2363-ESR?
Annealed is the default condition — standard delivery condition for bar, plate and flat stock; machine to shape here, then harden. ESR: specify for large blocks, EDM-heavy tooling or polished surfaces where inclusion cleanliness and isotropy matter. Yield strength is 500 MPa in Annealed versus 510 MPa in ESR.
Sources
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X100CrMoV5-1) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy tool steels (Type A2) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (Cr5Mo1V) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Uddeholm Rigor / Böhler K305 cold-work tool steel datasheets — voestalpine (2022)
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.