Steel H13 · hardness band
Steel H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 50-52 HRC condition, compared with the other H13 tempers.
For small cores, punches and hot shear blades where abrasive wear dominates and section sizes are small.
What is H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC?
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC is H13 heat treated to Q&T 50-52 HRC — for small cores, punches and hot shear blades where abrasive wear dominates and section sizes are small. H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC has a yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 50-52 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,570 MPa (228 ksi), better than 98% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 9%, 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
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every H13 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC has a yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °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 10.9 µm/m·K (6.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC conducts electricity at 3.3 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 89% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% 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 H13 tempers and conditions
H13 is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the H13 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard as-supplied bar/plate condition for machining dies before hardening.520 MPa yield · 205 HB
- Q&T 50-52 HRCFor small cores, punches and hot shear blades where abrasive wear dominates and section sizes are small.1,570 MPa yield · 51 HRC
- Q&T 48-50 HRCTypical for hot extrusion dies, mandrels and plastic mould inserts needing more wear resistance than 46 HRC.1,500 MPa yield · 49 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedGeneric hardened condition when the drawing calls out hardness rather than a fixed band; secondary hardening peak near 500–540 °C temper.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- HIPUse for additively manufactured or PM H13 where internal porosity must be closed to restore fatigue and impact life.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Q&TStandard die-casting / extrusion die working hardness: best balance of hot strength and toughness.1,400 MPa yield · 47 HRC
- As PrintedAM conformal-cooling inserts straight off the machine: very hard and strong but brittle with high residual stress — stress relieve before use.1,400 MPa yield · 53 HRC
- Q&T 44-46 HRCChoose for large die-casting dies and forging dies where heat-checking and gross cracking resistance outrank wear.1,330 MPa yield · 45 HRC
Working with H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC
Is H13 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition (~200 HB) with carbide and rigid setups; after hardening to 45–52 HRC use ceramic/CBN, hard-milling strategies or EDM, and stress-relieve after heavy EDM.
Can H13 be welded?
Repair-weldable with matching H13 or nickel-base filler at 300–350 °C preheat, interpass held above Ms, followed immediately by tempering 15–25 °C below the last temper.
Can H13 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only (forge 1050–1120 °C, slow cool then anneal at 850–900 °C); cold forming is not practical — expect ~0.1–0.2 % size growth on air hardening.
What surface finishes work on H13?
Takes a mirror polish (best on ESR grades); protect surfaces with nitriding, plasma/PVD CrN-AlTiN, oxide or black nitride — no anodising, and store oiled since bare H13 rusts quickly.
H13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.32 – 0.45 | 0.39 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.15 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.75 | 1.4 |
| V | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ppremium/NADCA grades ≤0.015 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Spremium/NADCA grades ≤0.005 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC — frequently asked
What is H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC used for?
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC is typically used for aluminium die-casting dies and inserts, hot extrusion dies and mandrels, hot forging dies, core pins and die-cast cores, hot stamping and hot-forming tooling and printed conformal-cooling mould inserts. In short: standard hot-work tool.
What is the yield strength of H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC?
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition (~200 HB) with carbide and rigid setups; after hardening to 45–52 HRC use ceramic/CBN, hard-milling strategies or EDM, and stress-relieve after heavy EDM.
Can H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Repair-weldable with matching H13 or nickel-base filler at 300–350 °C preheat, interpass held above Ms, followed immediately by tempering 15–25 °C below the last temper.
What surface finishes work on H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC?
Takes a mirror polish (best on ESR grades); protect surfaces with nitriding, plasma/PVD CrN-AlTiN, oxide or black nitride — no anodising, and store oiled since bare H13 rusts quickly.
Can H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only (forge 1050–1120 °C, slow cool then anneal at 850–900 °C); cold forming is not practical — expect ~0.1–0.2 % size growth on air hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC?
H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between H13 Annealed and H13-HIP?
Annealed is the default condition — standard as-supplied bar/plate condition for machining dies before hardening. HIP: use for additively manufactured or PM H13 where internal porosity must be closed to restore fatigue and impact life. Yield strength is 520 MPa in Annealed versus 1,450 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC?
Yes — H13 Q&T 50-52 HRC is available for CNC machining and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2015)
- GB/T 1299 (4Cr5MoSiV1) — SAC (2014)
- JIS G4404 (SKD61) — JSA (2015)
- EN ISO 4957 (1.2344 / X40CrMoV5-1) — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Uddeholm Orvar Supreme / Dievar datasheet — Uddeholm (2023)
- Böhler W302 hot-work tool steel datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- NADCA #207 Special Quality Die Steel & Heat Treatment Acceptance Criteria — NADCA (2021)
- (H13/4Cr5MoSiV1) — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.