A friend asked me: How long will your die steel last for the aluminum alloy die-casting mold？Actually, this question is really difficult to answer

Die steel 

A friend asked me: How long will your die steel last for the aluminum alloy die-casting mold？

Actually, this question is really difficult to answer.

Because some customers use our sulfur-free 8407 mold steel for aluminum alloy die-casting molds. 280,000 molds have been produced, and molds are still being used.

It is such a real case that we dare not promise to the customer in writing, because the using time of die steel for aluminum alloy die-casting molds is related to many factors. Such as: mold steel purity, mold structure complexity, mold size, mold design, heat treatment process, pre-hardening degree during use, cooling method during use, mold release agent, stress relief after use, etc … these are all could effect the mold life.

The real market situation is that many aluminum alloy die-casting molds have problems, which directly make the mold steel suppliers back. Hope everyone can understand the pain of mold steel man.

If you would like to know more about die steel for aluminum alloy die-casting molds ,pleasae see below of click the link –Die steel.

1. AISI H13 tool steel Chemical composition

C(％) 0.32～0.45 Si(％) 0.80～1.20 Mn(％) 0.20～0.50
P(％) ≤0.030 S(％) ≤0.030 Cr(％) 4.75～5.50
Mo(％) 1.10～1.75 V(％) 0.80～1.20

2. Applications of AISI H13 Tool Steel

H-13 Tool Steel is used in hot forging dies, hot forging die inserts, hot gripper dies, hot nut tools, hot header dies, brass forging and pressing dies, hot forging aluminum base dies, aluminum casting and extrusion dies, zinc die casting dies, extrusion mandrels, plastic molds, cores, die holder blocks, hot press dies, hot work punches, etc.

3. AISI H13 Steel Forging

For forging H13 tool steel, first slowly Preheat to 750°C(1382°F), soak enough time, then rapidly heat to 1050-1100 °C(1922-2030°F). then start forging, ensure the forging temperature higher than 850°C(1562°F).  Cool H13 tool steel must be slowly after H13 steel forging finished.

4. Annealing of Tool Steel H13

Heat to 840-860°C(1544-1580°F), Soak thoroughly before furnace cool at a maximum rate of 20°C(68°F) / hour, Cool down to 600°C (1112°F). Then cool in air.

5. Stress Relieving

Befor make products, The Tool steel stress relieving is very necessary.  When H13 tool steel is ground , heavily machined, cutting,milled , the relief of internal strains is necessary before hardening to minimise the possibility of distortion. for stress relieving, heat the H13 steel component to 700°C(1292°F) carefully, Get  enough soaking period . Then cool in the furnace or cool in air.

6. Hardening

first should preheat the H13 tool steel parts to 780-820°C(1436-1508°F), Soak enough time, ensure soak thoroughly. then rapidly heat to 1000-1030°C(1832-1886°F), soak about 30 mins. cool in air or oil.

Ms Sharon Wan

Mobile/WhatsApp: 0086-13580960968

Tel: 0086-769-23190193

Fax: 0086-769-88705839

Email: Sharon@otaisteel.com