Steel 1.2344 · hardness band
Steel 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 44-46 HRC condition, compared with the other 1.2344 tempers.
Pick for large aluminium die-casting dies and forging dies where thermal-fatigue cracking, not wear, is the failure mode.
What is 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC?
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC is 1.2344 heat treated to Q&T 44-46 HRC — pick for large aluminium die-casting dies and forging dies where thermal-fatigue cracking, not wear, is the failure mode. 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC has a yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,427°C (2,601 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 44-46 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,250 MPa (181 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 550°C (1,022 °F), better than 94% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.2344 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,427°C (2,601 °F).
Mechanical15
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC has a yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.7 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1.2344 tempers and conditions
1.2344 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.2344 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for bar, plate and blocks; machine to shape here, then harden and temper.500 MPa yield · 215 HB
- Q&T 52-54 HRCUse only for small wear-dominated tools (hot punches, mandrels, shear knives) where impact loading is low.1,650 MPa yield · 53 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedHigher-hardness tooling condition for wear-critical punches, shear blades and plastic-mould inserts.1,550 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- Q&TGeneral-purpose working hardness for die-casting dies and hot extrusion tooling: best balance of hot strength and toughness.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Q&T 44-46 HRCPick for large aluminium die-casting dies and forging dies where thermal-fatigue cracking, not wear, is the failure mode.1,250 MPa yield · 45 HRC
Working with 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC
Is 1.2344 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm stock for post-hardening grinding/EDM, and stress-relieve rough-machined blocks before hardening.
Can 1.2344 be welded?
Weldable for repair only: preheat and hold at 300–450 °C, use matched H13 filler, weld continuously and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
Can 1.2344 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 750–800 °C; austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/oil/vacuum quench, then double or triple temper (550–650 °C) to the target hardness.
What surface finishes work on 1.2344?
Not stainless — protect with oil, phosphate or black oxide; nitriding, nitrocarburizing or PVD (CrN/AlTiN) is standard for die surfaces, and ESR grades take a mirror polish for plastic moulds.
1.2344 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAISI H13 allows 0.32–0.45 | 0.37 – 0.43 | 0.4 |
| Si | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Cr | 4.8 – 5.5 | 5.2 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.5 | 1.3 |
| V | 0.85 – 1.15 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; premium/ESR typically ≤0.005 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC — frequently asked
What is 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC used for?
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC is typically used for die casting dies and inserts, hot extrusion dies and punches, forging dies, plastic injection mould cavities, die casting cores and pins and hot shear blades. In short: hot-work die tool.
What is the yield strength of 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC?
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; leave 0.2–0.5 mm stock for post-hardening grinding/EDM, and stress-relieve rough-machined blocks before hardening.
Can 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weldable for repair only: preheat and hold at 300–450 °C, use matched H13 filler, weld continuously and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC?
Not stainless — protect with oil, phosphate or black oxide; nitriding, nitrocarburizing or PVD (CrN/AlTiN) is standard for die surfaces, and ESR grades take a mirror polish for plastic moulds.
Can 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1050–1100 °C with slow cooling and mandatory soft anneal at 750–800 °C; austenitize 1000–1030 °C, air/oil/vacuum quench, then double or triple temper (550–650 °C) to the target hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC?
1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC?
Yes — 1.2344 Q&T 44-46 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels (X40CrMoV5-1) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels (H13) — ASTM (2015)
- GB/T 1299 — (4Cr5MoSiV1) — SAC (2014)
- JIS G 4404 — Alloy tool steels (SKD61) — JIS (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Böhler W302 / Uddeholm Orvar Supreme hot-work tool steel datasheets — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl / Uddeholm (2023)
- NADCA #207 — Special Quality Die Steel and Heat Treatment Acceptance Criteria — NADCA (2016)
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.