Steel 4Cr5MoSiV
GB 4Cr5MoSiV · AISI/SAE H11
4Cr5MoSiV is a 5% chromium hot-work die steel corresponding to AISI H11, with slightly lower carbon than H13 for higher toughness.
Reference datasheet — 4Cr5MoSiV is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
4Cr5MoSiV tempers and conditions
4Cr5MoSiV is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electroslag remelted, annealed | Pick for large die-casting blocks, mirror-polished cavities and where NADCA-type cleanliness/isotropy is specified. | 490 | 760 | 24 | 14 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault spheroidize annealed bar/plate (≤229 HB) | Standard as-supplied condition for machining before hardening; virtually all mill stock ships this way. | 500 | 780 | 22 | 210 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill form for large blocks that will be annealed and machined by the tool shop. | 700 | 1,000 | 14 | 31 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
hardened and high-temper (max toughness) | Choose for large forging dies, die-casting holder blocks and shock-loaded tooling where cracking risk dominates over wear. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 13 | 42 HRC | — |
standard die-casting / extrusion die hardness | The default working hardness for aluminium die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling — best balance of heat-check resistance and strength. | 1,300 | 1,550 | 11 | 46 HRC | — |
Nitrided surface (core Q&T 44–48 HRC) | Gas/plasma nitrided at 480–530 °C for extrusion dies and cores needing a wear- and soldering-resistant skin. | 1,350 | 1,550 | 8 | 46 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
hardened and low-temper (max wear resistance) | For punches, shear blades, mandrels and small inserts where wear and compressive strength matter more than impact toughness. | 1,520 | 1,800 | 9 | 50 HRC | — |
maximum attainable working hardness | Only for small, well-supported wear parts; toughness is low and cracking risk in service is high. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 7 | 54 HRC | — |
What is 4Cr5MoSiV?
4Cr5MoSiV is a 5% chromium hot-work die steel corresponding to AISI H11, with slightly lower carbon than H13 for higher toughness. It is used for die-casting and forging tooling and hot shear blades, supplied hot-rolled or annealed at about 210 HB (780 MPa tensile, 500 MPa yield, 22% elongation), in ESR and nitrided conditions, and quenched and tempered from 40–44 HRC up to 52–55 HRC. Machinability in the annealed state is comparatively good (score 55), but the steel offers no corrosion resistance, welding is repair-only, and the listed maximum service temperature is 400 °C. 4Cr5MoSiV1 (H13) is the alternative when higher hot hardness and wear resistance are needed. 4Cr5MoSiV 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). 4Cr5MoSiV has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 4Cr5MoSiV used for?
- Die-casting dies
- Forging dies
- Hot shear blades
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, 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
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
4Cr5MoSiV properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4Cr5MoSiV-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
4Cr5MoSiV 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).
Mechanical15
4Cr5MoSiV has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
4Cr5MoSiV 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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4Cr5MoSiV conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4Cr5MoSiV takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
4Cr5MoSiV's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 4Cr5MoSiV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 4Cr5MoSiV
Is 4Cr5MoSiV easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition (≤229 HB) with rigid setups and coated carbide; above 45 HRC switch to hard milling/EDM plus a stress-relief temper before final heat treatment.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV be welded?
Weldable for repair only with matching H11/H13 filler: preheat and hold at 300–400 °C, weld continuously, slow cool, then temper 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1120 °C finishing above 900 °C with slow furnace cooling; cold forming is not practical — austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/vacuum quench, and double or triple temper at 540–620 °C.
4Cr5MoSiV 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 – 0.43 | 0.38 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.6 | 1.35 |
| V | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Smax; premium/ESR often ≤0.005 | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 4Cr5MoSiV?
Takes a high polish (best with ESR stock); protect service surfaces by nitriding, oxidation/blackening or PVD CrN/AlTiN — no anodizing, and hard chrome may spall under thermal cycling.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 4Cr5MoSiV in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- H11
How much does 4Cr5MoSiV cost?
4Cr5MoSiV is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
4Cr5MoSiV — frequently asked
What is 4Cr5MoSiV used for?
4Cr5MoSiV is typically used for die-casting dies, forging dies and hot shear blades. In short: tougher than H13; lower-carbon hot-work grade; polishes well in ESR quality.
What is the yield strength of 4Cr5MoSiV?
4Cr5MoSiV has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 4Cr5MoSiV easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition (≤229 HB) with rigid setups and coated carbide; above 45 HRC switch to hard milling/EDM plus a stress-relief temper before final heat treatment.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weldable for repair only with matching H11/H13 filler: preheat and hold at 300–400 °C, weld continuously, slow cool, then temper 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 4Cr5MoSiV?
Takes a high polish (best with ESR stock); protect service surfaces by nitriding, oxidation/blackening or PVD CrN/AlTiN — no anodizing, and hard chrome may spall under thermal cycling.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1120 °C finishing above 900 °C with slow furnace cooling; cold forming is not practical — austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/vacuum quench, and double or triple temper at 540–620 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4Cr5MoSiV?
4Cr5MoSiV 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.
What is the difference between 4Cr5MoSiV Annealed and 4Cr5MoSiV-HR?
Annealed is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for machining before hardening; virtually all mill stock ships this way. HR: cheapest mill form for large blocks that will be annealed and machined by the tool shop. Yield strength is 500 MPa in Annealed versus 700 MPa in HR.
How much does 4Cr5MoSiV cost?
4Cr5MoSiV is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GB/T 1299 (4Cr5MoSiV) — SAC / (2014)
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (H11) — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Hot-Work Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Hot work tool steel W300 / H11 datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- H11 / 1.2343 hot work die steel technical data — Daido Steel / (2021)
- H11/4Cr5MoSiV — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.