1.2343 - AT A GLANCE
What kind of steel is the 1.2343?
The tool steel 1.2343 is a high alloyed steel which is often used in the plastic mould production due to its excellent heat and wear resistance. As a hot work steel the 1.2343 has good therma conductivity and is thermal shock resistant. This steel grade can be used for many applications like extrution press tools, cutting tools or die casts.
Properties
The tool steel 1.2343 is a hot work steel that is resistant to thermal shocks, has a good toughness, good wear resistance, good thermal conductivity and can be cooled in water.
- Tool steel
- Hot work steel
- High thermal wear resistance
- Good toughness
- Good thermal conductivity
- Can be water cooled
- Fire crack resistant
- Nitridable
- Etchable
- Polishable
- For even better toughness and the highest purity and homogeneousness use 1.2343 ESR
Applications
The 1.2343 find its uses in many industries and applications. Its good thermal shock resistance makes it an ideal steel for the following applications.
- Forging tools
- Forging dies
- Hot shear knives
- Hot extrusion tools
- Extrusion press tools
- Press tools
- Block receivers
- Die casting tools
- Light metal die casting
- Press dies
- Piercer plugs
- Screw Production
- Rivet
- Production
- Bolt Production
- Ejectors
- Platic moulds
- Press mandrells
1.2343 Standard values
Chemical composition:
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Mo | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.33 - 0.41 | 0.8 - 1.2 | 0.25 - 0.5 | 0.0 - 0.03 | 0.0 - 0.02 | 4.8 - 5.5 | 1.1 - 1.5 | 0.3 - 0.5 |
Chemical designation:
X37CrMoV5-1
Working hardness:
50-54 HRC
Delivery condition:
max. 229 HB
1.2343 Physical Properties
What group of steel does the 1.2343 belong to?
- Tool steel
- Plastic mould steel
- Hot work steel
Is the 1.2343 a stainless steel?
A classic stainless steel has a minimum mass fraction of 10,5 % of chromium. With a chromium content of 4,8 – 5,5 % the 1.2343 is not a classical stainless steel.
Is the 1.2343 corrosion resistant?
The 1.2343 has a certain corrosion resistance, to be classed corrosion resistant though a material has to have a mass fraction of at least 10,5 % chromium.
Is the 1.2343 magnetisable?
Steel grade 1.2343 is ferromagnetic which means it can be magnetised. This in turn makes it suitable for machining, such as grinding or milling, on magnetic clamping plates.
1.2343 Hot work
The 1.2343 has a high resistance to temperature changes, which minimises cracking and breakage. It remains stable even at high temperatures and under high mechanical stress.
1.2343 wear resistance
The material 1.2343 is rated 3 on a scale of 1 (low) to 6 (high) for its wear resistance.
1.2343 Technical properties
Is the 1.2343 a knife steel?
Although the material 1.2343 exhibits a certain degree of corrosion resistance, toughness and hardness, this grade is not ideal for manufacturing knives. 1.2343 is primarily used for hot work and toolmaking; a different, more suitable steel grade should be selected for manufacturing knives.
1.2343 Working hardness
The 1.2343 cn reach a working hardness of 50 – 54 HRC
1.2343 Density
The density for tool steel 1.2343 at room temperature is 7,7 g/cm³.
1.2343 Tensile strength
The 1.2343 has a tensile strength of approx. 770 N/mm2. To achieve this value, a tensile test is carried out to show how much force is required to stretch or elongate a sample before it breaks.
1.2343 Machinability
On a scale where 1 is low and 6 is high the 1.2343 receives a 5 for its machinability.
1.2343 Heat conductivity
At room temperature the heat conductivity for the 1.2343 is at 34,2 W/(m*K)
Heat conductivity
Value annealed (W/m*K)
Value pre-hardened (W/m*K)
At a temperature of
29.8
26.8
20 °C
30.0
27.3
350 °C
33.4
30.3
700 °C
1.2343 Thermal expansion coefficient
The following table shows how much the 1.2343 expands or contracts at various temperatures. This is important when working with high temperatues or frequent temperature changes.
Medium thermal expansion coefficient
Value pre-hardened
10-6m/(m*K)
At a temperature of
11.8
20 – 100 °C
12.4
20 – 200 °C
12.6
20 – 300 °C
12.7
20 – 400 °C
12.8
20 – 500 °C
12.9
20 – 600 °C
12.9
20 – 700 °C
1.2343 Specific heat capacity
At room temperature the specific heat capacity is at 0,46 J/kg*K. This value shows how much heat is needed to heat up a specific amount of material by 1 Kelvin.
1.2343 Specific electrical resistance
The specific electrical resistance can be found in the following table. Electrical conductivity is the reciprocal of specific electrical resistance.
Specific electrical resistance
Value (Ohm*mm²)/m
At a temperature of
0.52
20 °C
PERFECTION!
1.2343 Procedure
1.2343 Annealing
To anneal 1.2343, it is heated to a temperature of 750–800 °C and held there for approx. 4 hours. To cool down, the material remains in the furnace till it reaches a temperature of 500 °C, then it can be left to cool in air.
1.2343 Stress relieving
To relieve internal stresses after intensive processing, the material is heated evenly to a temperature of 600–650 °C, held there for at least 4 hours and then cooled in the furnace.
1.2343 Tempering
The tempering temperature is selected depending on the desired hardness and properties.
Tempering reduces internal stresses and also specifically balances the strength and toughness of the material.
Further information can be found in the diagram below:
1.2343 Hardening
To harden the material 1.2343, it is heated evenly to a temperature of 1000 – 1040 °C and held there for approx. 15 – 30 minutes. The material should then be quenched.
1.2343 Quenching
The 1.2343 can be hardened in the following media:
- Air
- Oil
- Warm bath (500 – 550 °C)
1.2343 Continuous TTT-Diagram
This diagram shows micro-changes over time at different temperatures. These are important in heat treatment because they provide information about the optimal conditions for processes such as hardening, annealing and normalising.
1.2343 Isothermal TTT-diagram
This diagram shows the structural changes at the micro level over time at a constant temperature. It shows at what temperature and after what time different phases, e.g. perlite, martensite or bainite, begin to form.
1.2343 Surface treatment
1.2343 Nitriding
The introduction of nitrogen into the material surface creates a hard and wear-resistant layer that increases wear resistance and service life. The thickness of the nitriding layer should be carefully considered to suit the respective application.
1.2343 Black oxide coating or blueing
Bluing of material 1.2343 gives tools and workpieces a black mixed oxide layer, which provides them with a certain degree of corrosion protection.
However, bluing is usually carried out for aesthetic reasons. It gives the workpieces a blue-black colour, which reduces light reflection on the surface.
1.2343 Polishing
Polishing can smooth the surface of the material and give it a high gloss finish. This increases corrosion resistance, as a smooth surface reduces the adhesion of contaminants such as dust or bacteria.
1.2343 Processing
1.2343 Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)
Eroding can be used to achieve various surface finishes, but it is mainly used to produce complicated shapes, small details and complex geometries in hard materials. As the material 1.2343 is in the upper hardness range, eroding can be used successfully. When selecting the electrodes, dielectric fluid and cutting speed, the surface quality and subsequent application should be taken into account.
1.2343 Machining allowance / dimensional changes
As with all metals, 1.2343 expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Controlled heating during the hardening and tempering process, as well as during the cooling phase, can minimise deformation and other dimensional changes. In addition, the reduction of stresses and/or dimensional changes by adding tolerances to the dimensions should be considered.
1.2343 Forging
Material 1.2343 should be preheated evenly to a temperature of 600–700 °C to minimise the risk of cracks and stresses. The material is then brought up to a forging temperature of 1050 °C at which it is forged. The temperature should not fall below 850 °C.
Finally, a heat treatment should be applied to reduce internal stresses and ensure a uniform microstructure.
