Steel 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT (Nitrided)
Finish state
AISI/SAE H13 · EN 1.2343
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.
Values for the NIT condition
Other 4Cr5MoSiV1 tempers and conditions
4Cr5MoSiV1 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 4Cr5MoSiV1.
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 |
NITThis page 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-NIT?
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT is 4Cr5MoSiV1 supplied in the NIT condition — 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. 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT has a yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NIT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,280 MPa (186 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 540°C (1,004 °F), better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 8/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of steel grades
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4Cr5MoSiV1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT 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-NIT has a yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT is rated for continuous service to 540°C (1,004 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT 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-NIT's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT
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.
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.
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 | — |
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT — frequently asked
What is 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT used for?
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT 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-NIT?
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT has a typical yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% 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-NIT be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). 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-NIT?
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-NIT 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-NIT?
4Cr5MoSiV1-NIT 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.
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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.