Steel H11 · heat-treated state
Steel H11 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other H11 tempers.
Standard working hardness for die-casting and extrusion dies where thermal-fatigue resistance and toughness matter most.
What is H11 Q&T?
H11 Q&T is H11 heat treated to Q&T — standard working hardness for die-casting and extrusion dies where thermal-fatigue resistance and toughness matter most. H11 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). H11 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
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,300 MPa (189 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
H11 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for H11 Q&T — 16 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every H11 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
H11 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).
Mechanical13
H11 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
H11 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
H11 Q&T conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of H11 Q&T takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
H11 Q&T's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other H11 tempers and conditions
H11 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the H11 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill-supply state for bar/plate that will be machined then hardened by the toolmaker.510 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedChoose when wear resistance and compressive strength dominate (forging inserts, punches, aircraft ultra-high-strength parts); toughness drops.1,520 MPa yield · 51 HRC
- As PrintedAM 1.2343 straight off the machine: already hard and strong but low ductility with residual stress — stress relief is normally mandatory.1,450 MPa yield · 52 HRC
- HIPUse for AM or PM tooling where residual porosity must be closed; gives near-wrought toughness and isotropic properties.1,400 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Q&TStandard working hardness for die-casting and extrusion dies where thermal-fatigue resistance and toughness matter most.1,300 MPa yield · 46 HRC
- NitridedPick for die-casting cores and extrusion dies needing soldering/wear resistance; 0.1–0.3 mm case on a 44–48 HRC core.1,300 MPa yield · 46 HRC
Working with H11 Q&T
Is H11 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state (≈200 HB) with rigid setups and coated carbide; hardened 46–52 HRC parts need ceramic/CBN, EDM or grinding, and EDM white layer must be stoned or stress-relieved off.
Can H11 be welded?
Repair-weldable with matched 1.2343/H11 filler at 300–450 °C preheat, small stringer beads, then temper 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature; never weld cold.
Can H11 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C, stop above 900 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 750–800 °C; cold forming is not practical.
What surface finishes work on H11?
Vacuum-harden and double/triple temper above 550 °C for dimensional stability, then nitride, PVD-coat (CrN/AlCrN) or hard-chrome for wear and soldering resistance; ESR grades polish to a mirror/photo-etch finish.
H11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C1.2343: 0.36–0.42 | 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 |
| Mo1.2343: 1.10–1.40 | 1.1 – 1.6 | 1.3 |
| V1.2343: 0.25–0.50 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Wresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; premium ESR ≤0.005 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
H11 Q&T — frequently asked
What is H11 Q&T used for?
H11 Q&T is typically used for die casting dies and inserts, forging dies, aerospace landing gear forgings, rocket motor structural components, hot extrusion dies and mandrels and hot shear blades and punches. In short: hot-work tool steel.
What is the yield strength of H11 Q&T?
H11 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is H11 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state (≈200 HB) with rigid setups and coated carbide; hardened 46–52 HRC parts need ceramic/CBN, EDM or grinding, and EDM white layer must be stoned or stress-relieved off.
Can H11 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Repair-weldable with matched 1.2343/H11 filler at 300–450 °C preheat, small stringer beads, then temper 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature; never weld cold.
What surface finishes work on H11 Q&T?
Vacuum-harden and double/triple temper above 550 °C for dimensional stability, then nitride, PVD-coat (CrN/AlCrN) or hard-chrome for wear and soldering resistance; ESR grades polish to a mirror/photo-etch finish.
Can H11 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C, stop above 900 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 750–800 °C; cold forming is not practical.
What is the maximum service temperature of H11 Q&T?
H11 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between H11 Annealed and H11-HIP?
Annealed is the default condition — standard mill-supply state for bar/plate that will be machined then hardened by the toolmaker. HIP: use for AM or PM tooling where residual porosity must be closed; gives near-wrought toughness and isotropic properties. Yield strength is 510 MPa in Annealed versus 1,400 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in H11 Q&T?
Yes — H11 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (1.2343 / X37CrMoV5-1) — CEN/ISO (2018)
- GB/T 1299 — (4Cr5MoSiV) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Tool Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) — ASM International (1998)
- BÖHLER W300 / W302 hot work tool steel data sheet — voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl (2022)
- Uddeholm hot-work tool steel technical data (5%Cr grades) — Uddeholm/voestalpine (2021)
- MMPDS aircraft-quality H11 (5Cr-Mo-V) ultra-high-strength steel data — Battelle/FAA (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.