Hot/cold work mold steel

Die forging and press forging are two fundamental metalworking processes used to shape metal into precise forms by applying high pressure. Die forging involves the use of a mold (die) that shapes the metal under high pressure, typically producing parts with superior strength, toughness, and dimensional accuracy.

To improve the microstructure uniformity of forged H13 die steel, targeted chemical composition design and manufacturing process optimization are implemented. The forging procedure is rationally arranged; H13 die steel is produced by electroslag remelting, followed by annealing and heat treatment. Inspection on the microstructure uniformity of finished H13 dies shows that compared with conventional cast steel ingots, electroslag remelted die steel features better microstructure uniformity, higher density and significantly improved macrostructure.

High final forging temperature and slow cooling rate of forged H13 steel easily induce coarse network carbides, which cannot be eliminated by conventional annealing. Adding a high-temperature ultra-refining process prior to spheroidizing annealing can suppress the precipitation of network secondary carbides and form fine lamellar pearlite. Meanwhile, alloying elements are fully dissolved and segregation is substantially improved.

Hot work tool steels, such as H13 (1.2344), are critical materials used in industries like forging, die-casting, and extrusion, where tools are exposed to high temperatures, mechanical stresses, and thermal cycles. These steels are specifically designed to withstand the harsh conditions of hot working processes, ensuring the durability and performance of molds, dies, and other tooling components.