Machining Tool Steel H13 (Hot Work Die Steel): Speeds & Feeds, Tooling & Best Practices

Material Properties & Machinability Profile

Tool Steel H13 (Hot Work Die Steel) is classified as a Chromium-Molybdenum Hot Work Steel widely specified for mission-critical components requiring Aluminum high-pressure die casting dies, extrusion dies, and plastic mold core cavities..

Engineering Kinematics & Cutting Parameters

• Material Hardness: 46-52 HRC (Pre-hardened).
• Recommended Cutting Speed ($V_c$): 50 - 90 m/min with dedicated substrate coatings.
• Chip Load ($f_z$): Maintained between 0.05 - 0.12 mm/tooth to prevent tool rubbing or excessive mechanical shock.
• Machinability Challenge: Excellent hot hardness, resistance to thermal fatigue cracking, and uniform through-hardenability; machines cleanly with AlCrN tools.
• Tooling Strategy: Employs high-pressure flood coolant (>= 30 bar) and micro-grain carbide or specialized inserts with positive rake geometries.

Explore our technical equipment capabilities in 5-Axis CNC Milling and review our standards in Precision Machining Quality Control.