Steel H14 Nitrided
Finish state
AISI/SAE H14 · UNS T20814
Choose when die surfaces must resist hot metal washing/soldering; core keeps 48–52 HRC properties.
Values for the Nitrided condition
Other H14 tempers and conditions
H14 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at H14.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard mill supply state for rough machining of dies before hardening. | 450 | 760 | 20 | 215 HB | — |
Hardened & tempered 44–48 HRC | Pick for large hot-forging or hot-punching dies where impact toughness matters more than peak hot hardness. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 11 | 46 HRC | — |
Hardened & tempered 48–52 HRC | The usual finished hardness for hot-extrusion dies, mandrels and hot punches needing high red hardness. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 8 | 50 HRC | 28 W/m·K |
NitridedThis page Hardened, tempered and nitrided surface | Choose when die surfaces must resist hot metal washing/soldering; core keeps 48–52 HRC properties. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 6 | 50 HRC | — |
Hardened & tempered 52–56 HRC | Use for small hot-extrusion tooling and punches where wear resistance dominates and shock loading is low. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 5 | 54 HRC | — |
What is H14 Nitrided?
H14 Nitrided is H14 supplied in the Nitrided condition — choose when die surfaces must resist hot metal washing/soldering; core keeps 48–52 HRC properties. H14 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). H14 Nitrided 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 560°C (1,040 °F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.2 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades
H14 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for H14 Nitrided; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are H14 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
H14 Nitrided 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
H14 Nitrided has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
H14 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 560°C (1,040 °F). It conducts heat at 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
H14 Nitrided conducts electricity at 3.2 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of H14 Nitrided takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
H14 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with H14 Nitrided
Is H14 easy to machine?
Rough machine in the annealed condition (≈50% of AISI 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN is practical.
Can H14 be welded?
Repair-weld only with matching hot-work filler, preheat 350–450 °C, keep interpass temperature, and re-temper immediately below the last tempering temperature.
Can H14 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate annealing; harden from 1090–1200 °C, quench in oil/air/salt and double temper 550–650 °C — do not water-cool in service.
What surface finishes work on H14?
Stress-relieve before finish machining; nitride, gas-nitrocarburize or PVD-coat die surfaces, and oil or phosphate for storage since the 5% Cr does not make it stainless.
H14 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 | 0.35 – 0.45 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| W | 4 – 5.25 | 4.6 |
| Vresidual/optional in some producer variants | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
H14 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is H14 Nitrided used for?
H14 Nitrided is typically used for extrusion dies, hot punches, piercing tools and forging die inserts. In short: highest tungsten hot-work grade; more hot hardness than H12; for severe hot working.
What is the yield strength of H14 Nitrided?
H14 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is H14 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Rough machine in the annealed condition (≈50% of AISI 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN is practical.
Can H14 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Repair-weld only with matching hot-work filler, preheat 350–450 °C, keep interpass temperature, and re-temper immediately below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on H14 Nitrided?
Stress-relieve before finish machining; nitride, gas-nitrocarburize or PVD-coat die surfaces, and oil or phosphate for storage since the 5% Cr does not make it stainless.
Can H14 Nitrided be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate annealing; harden from 1090–1200 °C, quench in oil/air/salt and double temper 550–650 °C — do not water-cool in service.
What is the maximum service temperature of H14 Nitrided?
H14 Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 560°C (1,040 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Hot-work tool steel product data (Cr-W grades) — Böhler / 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.