Steel 4Cr5MoSiV1
AISI/SAE H13 · EN 1.2343
4Cr5MoSiV1 is a 5% chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work die steel equivalent to AISI H13, the default grade for die casting and extrusion tooling.
Reference datasheet — 4Cr5MoSiV1 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 ANN condition
4Cr5MoSiV1 tempers and conditions
4Cr5MoSiV1 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. ANN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard mill-supplied condition for machining the die cavity before hardening. | 460 | 760 | 20 | 210 HB | 26 W/m·K |
Electroslag remelted premium quality | Choose for large die-casting dies, mirror-polished cavities and where NADCA #207 cleanliness/isotropy is specified. | 470 | 770 | 23 | 14 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
hardened and high-temperature tempered | Toughest working hardness — large forging dies, hot shear blades and heavily shock-loaded inserts. | 1,180 | 1,360 | 12 | 42 HRC | 25 W/m·K |
Nitrided | Surface treatment for soldering/washout and abrasive wear resistance on die-casting and extrusion tooling; keep case thin (<0.1 mm) to limit heat-check cracking. | 1,280 | 1,500 | 8 | 47 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
hardened and double tempered | Standard hardness for large aluminium die-casting dies and extrusion tooling where heat checking dominates. | 1,300 | 1,500 | 11 | 45 HRC | — |
Q&T 46–48 HRC | Most common all-round working hardness for die-casting inserts, cores and hot-extrusion dies. | 1,420 | 1,650 | 9 | 47 HRC | — |
Q&T 48–50 HRC | Higher wear resistance for small inserts, cores, ejector components and plastic-mould applications. | 1,540 | 1,790 | 8 | 49 HRC | — |
maximum hardness condition | Maximum wear resistance for hot punches, mandrels and small tooling where toughness is secondary. | 1,650 | 1,960 | 6 | 52 HRC | — |
What is 4Cr5MoSiV1?
4Cr5MoSiV1 is a 5% chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work die steel equivalent to AISI H13, the default grade for die casting and extrusion tooling. It is supplied annealed at about 210 HB (760 MPa tensile, 460 MPa yield, 20% elongation) and quenched and tempered from 40–44 HRC up to 50–54 HRC, with ESR and nitrided conditions on file in bar, plate and block form. Thermal conductivity is 26 W/m·K and the listed maximum service temperature is 400 °C; the 5% Cr content gives no rust protection, so surfaces need oil or a coating, and welding is a repair operation only. 4Cr5MoSiV (H11) is the tougher, lower-carbon alternative. 4Cr5MoSiV1 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,315°C (2,399 °F). 4Cr5MoSiV1 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 4Cr5MoSiV1 used for?
- Die-casting dies
- Extrusion dies
- Forging dies
- Hot punches
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades
4Cr5MoSiV1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4Cr5MoSiV1-ANN; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
4Cr5MoSiV1 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,315°C (2,399 °F).
Mechanical14
4Cr5MoSiV1 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
4Cr5MoSiV1 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4Cr5MoSiV1 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 4Cr5MoSiV1 takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
4Cr5MoSiV1's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); 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. 4Cr5MoSiV1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 4Cr5MoSiV1
Is 4Cr5MoSiV1 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state (≤235 HB) with carbide tooling and rigid setups; hardened 45–52 HRC work needs coated carbide/CBN, low feeds or EDM, and EDM white layer must be stoned or polished off and re-tempered.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV1 be welded?
Repair welding only: preheat/interpass 300–425 °C with matched H13 or softer filler, slow cool, then temper 15–30 °C below the previous tempering temperature.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV1 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1120–900 °C followed by slow cooling and full spheroidize anneal at 845–900 °C; harden 1000–1030 °C, air/gas quench, then double or triple temper 550–620 °C for secondary hardening.
4Cr5MoSiV1 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 | 0.32 – 0.45 | 0.39 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.75 | 1.4 |
| V | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| P≤0.015 for premium/ESR (NADCA #207) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S≤0.005 for premium/ESR | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 4Cr5MoSiV1?
Nitride, oxidize or PVD-coat (CrN/AlTiN) working faces for soldering and wear resistance; ESR stock takes a high polish, but all surfaces must be oiled or coated since the 5% Cr gives no rust protection.
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 4Cr5MoSiV1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 4Cr5MoSiV1 cost?
4Cr5MoSiV1 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.
4Cr5MoSiV1 — frequently asked
What is 4Cr5MoSiV1 used for?
4Cr5MoSiV1 is typically used for die-casting dies, extrusion dies, forging dies and hot punches. In short: industry-standard hot-work steel; H13 equivalent; good thermal-fatigue resistance.
What is the yield strength of 4Cr5MoSiV1?
4Cr5MoSiV1 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 4Cr5MoSiV1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state (≤235 HB) with carbide tooling and rigid setups; hardened 45–52 HRC work needs coated carbide/CBN, low feeds or EDM, and EDM white layer must be stoned or polished off and re-tempered.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV1 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Repair welding only: preheat/interpass 300–425 °C with matched H13 or softer filler, slow cool, then temper 15–30 °C below the previous tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 4Cr5MoSiV1?
Nitride, oxidize or PVD-coat (CrN/AlTiN) working faces for soldering and wear resistance; ESR stock takes a high polish, but all surfaces must be oiled or coated since the 5% Cr gives no rust protection.
Can 4Cr5MoSiV1 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1120–900 °C followed by slow cooling and full spheroidize anneal at 845–900 °C; harden 1000–1030 °C, air/gas quench, then double or triple temper 550–620 °C for secondary hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4Cr5MoSiV1?
4Cr5MoSiV1 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 4Cr5MoSiV1-ANN and 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT?
ANN is the default condition — standard mill-supplied condition for machining the die cavity before hardening. NIT: surface treatment for soldering/washout and abrasive wear resistance on die-casting and extrusion tooling; keep case thin (<0.1 mm) to limit heat-check cracking. Yield strength is 460 MPa in ANN versus 1,280 MPa in NIT.
How much does 4Cr5MoSiV1 cost?
4Cr5MoSiV1 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 (4Cr5MoSiV1) (2014)
- ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (H13) — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Orvar Supreme / Orvar 2 Microdized H13 datasheet — Uddeholm (2022)
- BÖHLER W302 hot work tool steel datasheet — voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl (2021)
- NADCA #207 Special Quality Die Steel & Heat Treatment Acceptance Criteria — North American Die Casting Association (2020)
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.