Milano Special Steel supplies premium H13 material and DIN 1.2344 material across India, offering competitive pricing, custom cut sizes, and fast pan-India delivery to the tooling industry.

As an experienced H13 material supplier and DIN 1.2344 material supplier, the portfolio includes plates and rounds tailored for aluminium die casting, pressure die casting, and plastic mould applications.

What is H13 (DIN 1.2344)

H13 is a chromium‑molybdenum‑vanadium hot‑work tool steel optimised for high hot‑strength, thermal fatigue resistance, and toughness in demanding tooling environments.

In European designation, it corresponds to DIN 1.2344 and EN X40CrMoV5‑1, and is equivalent to JIS SKD61 and GB 4Cr5MoSiV1 for global interoperability in sourcing and specifications.

Global equivalents

Equivalent grades ensure interchangeability and consistent properties across standards for production and maintenance logistics. Commonly accepted equivalents include AISI H13, DIN/WNr 1.2344 (X40CrMoV5‑1), JIS SKD61, and GB 4Cr5MoSiV1, which are used in hot-work tools and plastic mould inserts.

Chemical composition

Typical H13/DIN 1.2344 composition ranges are C 0.32–0.45%, Cr 4.75–5.50%, Mo 1.10–1.75%, V 0.80–1.20%, Si 0.80–1.20%, and Mn 0.20–0.50%, with low P and S for cleanliness. These alloying elements balance hot hardness, temper resistance, and carbide formation to deliver wear and heat-check resistance in die-casting, extrusion, and forging tools.

Core properties

H13 offers high hot‑strength, excellent thermal shock resistance, and good toughness, making it a versatile “workhorse” for hot‑work and some cold‑work tooling. Its temper resistance preserves hardness at elevated temperatures, limiting softening and extending tool life under cyclic thermal loads.

Physical data

H13 density is approximately 7.80 g/cm³ at room temperature, supporting mass and thermal calculations for tool design and heat‑treat planning. Combined with its conductivity and thermal expansion profile, this enables engineers to optimise preheat and quench strategies and die thermal management, thereby minimising heat checking.

Supplied condition and hardness

H13 is often supplied annealed in the 180–220 HB range for improved machinability and can be hardened to ~44–52 HRC, depending on the section and tempering practice. Premium ESR variants (e.g., Uddeholm Orvar Supreme) deliver enhanced cleanliness and isotropy, providing improved heat-check resistance and toughness at higher working hardnesses.

Heat treatment overview

A representative heat-treat route includes staged preheats, austenitizing at around 1000–1050°C, air or controlled quenching, and multiple tempers appropriate to the service temperature. Proper preheating, atmosphere control, and double or triple tempering are used to balance residual stresses, toughness, and secondary-hardening carbides for durability in hot‑work service.

Why H13/DIN 1.2344 for die casting

H13’s resistance to thermal fatigue (heat checking), hot wear, and softening during thermal cycles makes it a leading choice for aluminium die-casting dies, cores, and inserts. The alloy’s toughness helps mitigate catastrophic cracking, while temper resistance maintains hardness, reducing erosion and soldering in contact zones with molten aluminium.

Uses in tooling

Typical applications include die-casting dies, extrusion dies, hot-forging dies, mandrels, shear blades, and plastic mould parts requiring high strength or abrasion resistance. For plastic injection moulds subjected to elevated temperatures or abrasive fillers, H13 balances machinability, hot‑strength, and polishability across many mould components.

Equivalent standards at a glance

AISI/ASTM: H13 (ASTM A681) is used widely in hot‑work applications.
DIN/WNr: 1.2344 (X40CrMoV5‑1) with tightly specified composition ranges for European sourcing.
JIS: SKD61 with similar performance characteristics for die casting and hot‑work tools in Japanese standards.

Composition details for engineers

A carbon content of 0.32–0.45% supports hardness and wear resistance without unduly compromising toughness when heat-treated correctly.
Chromium, at ~5%, enhances temper resistance and hot hardness by stabilising carbides, improving hot-work durability.
Molybdenum ~1.1–1.75% strengthens at temperature and supports secondary hardening with vanadium carbides.

Tempering strategy

Multiple temper cycles are recommended to stabilise the microstructure, with temper selection aligned to the service temperature to avoid over-tempering or embrittlement troughs. Many shops target a working hardness in the high 40s HRC, with tempering chosen from temper curves to balance heat-check resistance and toughness.

Surface engineering

Nitriding and PVD can be applied to H13 to enhance surface wear resistance and mitigate soldering under high‑friction or molten-metal contact conditions while preserving the rigid core. Care is taken to align process temperatures with prior tempering to prevent softening and maintain substrate support under thin, complex layers.

ESR and premium variants

ESR H13 (e.g., Orvar Supreme) offers greater cleanliness and isotropy than conventionally remelted variants, enabling a higher safe working hardness and better thermal fatigue resistance. This translates to reduced heat checking and longer die life, especially valuable in aggressive die casting and extrusion environments.

Machining and fabrication

In the annealed state, H13 machines reasonably well, but heat-treated tooling requires rigid setups, sharp tooling, and appropriate feeds to control work-hardening and preserve the edges. Controlled atmospheres or salt baths help minimise decarburization during hardening. Welding repairs require matched filler and post-weld heat treatment practices.

Performance in aluminum die casting

H13’s combination of hot‑strength, thermal fatigue resistance, and toughness helps reduce crack initiation and propagation under cyclic molten metal exposure and die spray quenching. Proper heat treatment and polishing also mitigate soldering and erosion, extending maintenance intervals for dies and inserts.

Plastic moulding considerations

For high-temperature moulding or abrasive fillers, H13 provides superior hot strength over standard pre-hardened mould steels, while still enabling fine surface finishes where required. Where corrosion is critical, stainless mould steels may be selected; however, H13 remains a strong choice for thermal loads and wear conditions in many moulds.

DIN 1.2344 material focus

DIN 1.2344 defines tight composition windows and processing expectations that align with H13’s performance profile in European frameworks. The designation X40CrMoV5‑1 clarifies the alloy content in its name, aiding specification control across multi-vendor supply chains.

Selection tips for buyers

Match composition window, cleanliness level (ESR vs conventional), and heat‑treat capability to the application’s thermal cycle severity and target die life. Verify the tempering strategy, dimensional stability expectations, and any planned surface-engineering steps when issuing purchase specifications.

Forms and availability

H13/DIN 1.2344 is commonly supplied as plates and rounds with sawn-cut pieces, enabling cost‑effective procurement of die blocks, inserts, and pins. Dimensional customisation shortens lead time and reduces waste in machining workflows for both OEMs and job shops.

Milano Special Steel overview

Milano Special Steel is a dedicated importer and supplier of premium tool steels in India, offering competitive pricing and fast delivery, backed by deep category expertise. The company profile emphasises reliability, in-stock availability, and service to major industrial hubs, providing responsive support.

H13 material supplier in India

As an experienced H13 supplier, Milano stocks plates and rounds, offering cut-to-size service for production and maintenance needs across die casting, extrusion, and moulding. The supply scope covers wholesale and retail requirements with dispatch from strategic hubs and delivery across India.

DIN 1.2344 material supplier in India

Milano specialises in DIN 1.2344 plates and round bars, aligning its inventory with standard equivalents to simplify cross‑standard sourcing and replacements. Orders can specify composition window, hardness targets, and finish to suit die casting, forging, and plastic mould applications.

Industries served

Key sectors include aluminium die casting, pressure die casting, sheet metal cutting, cutting tool manufacturing, plastic mould production, the automotive industry, and forging industries. This industry alignment ensures that stocking programs and technical support align with real-world consumption and maintenance cycles.

Plates and rounds, cut to size

Inventory spans plate and round profiles in standard toolmaker sizes, with value‑added sawing and cut‑piece supply to exact specified dimensions. The approach reduces material waste and machining time while improving throughput for tight production schedules.

Wholesale and retail supply

Milano supports both large‑volume programs and urgent small‑lot needs, ensuring flexible procurement and quick replenishment for maintenance and new tool builds. This blended model suits Tier‑1 automotive suppliers and MSMEs seeking dependable timelines and pricing.

Pan‑India delivery

The distribution network supplies all Indian states and major cities, with an operational presence centred in the NCR industrial corridors for rapid dispatch. This coverage enables same-day or next-day shipments to numerous hubs, depending on stock, size, and service requirements.

Legacy and experience

Established in 1972, Milano brings over 50 years of category expertise to material selection, sourcing, and technical support for demanding applications. The operational history underpins reliable quality, consistent availability, and practical guidance for heat treatment and tooling life.

Regional hubs and reach

Operational footprints include Gurugram, Kundli, Sonipat, Manesar, Bawal, Bhiwadi, and Dharuhera, with service reach extending across Delhi-NCR and beyond. Presence and logistics extend to major industrial centres, including Bangalore, Pune, and Surat, for national coverage.

Best price positioning

Direct import capabilities and efficient logistics support competitive pricing for H13/DIN 1.2344 while maintaining quality and certification standards. This price‑value balance helps meet cost targets without compromising on die life or performance.

Quality and documentation

Material Test Certificates and reputable mill sources are emphasised, and ESR options can be provided for critical dies requiring premium cleanliness. Aligning documentation with international standards simplifies audits and line approvals in automotive and export‑facing supply chains.

Technical support

Assistance encompasses equivalence mapping (H13/1.2344/SKD61/4Cr5MoSiV1), heat-treat guidance, and the selection of working hardness to mitigate thermal fatigue. Customers can align tempering strategies and surface engineering choices with part geometry and thermal cycles to ensure longevity.

Applications recap

Aluminium die casting dies and inserts where heat‑checking resistance is critical.
Hot forging dies and extrusion tooling require high hot strength and wear resistance.
Plastic mould components are exposed to elevated temperatures or abrasive fillers.

Material selection checklist

Verify standard equivalence and composition window against existing tools and failure modes.
Select ESR variants for severe thermal fatigue or when a higher safe working hardness is required.
Plan tempering and surface treatments in line with service temperatures and die spray practices.

Engineering notes

Higher cleanliness and isotropy allow slightly higher working hardness, slowing heat‑check formation and improving die life in production. Proper preheat, staged heating, and atmosphere control further reduce decarburization and thermal gradients that drive cracking.

Why choose Milano for H13/1.2344

Milano’s breadth of stock, pan‑India reach, and long industry tenure streamline procurement for both maintenance and new build programs. Competitive pricing, cut‑to‑size service, and responsive support reduce total project time and risk for critical tooling.

Tailored supply options

Customers can specify hardness ranges, dimensional tolerances, and finish states to match machining capabilities and cycle‑time targets. Coordinating the material state with downstream heat treatment and coating plans optimises performance and throughput.

Proven in die casting and moulds

H13/1.2344’s global track record reflects a balance of hot wear, toughness, and temper resistance that suits aggressive die casting thermal cycles. With ESR options and disciplined heat‑treat, it remains a benchmark alloy for die life and process stability in aluminium foundries.

Sourcing and certification

Align orders to ASTM A681/DIN ISO 4957 with equivalence mapping to SKD61/GB grades where needed for multi‑national toolrooms. Ensure mill certification and hardness verification upon receipt to match the specification and reduce the risk of rework.

Summary for search optimization

For “H13 material” and “DIN 1.2344 material,” Milano delivers certified plates and rounds with custom cuts, best price positioning, and pan‑India delivery. As a “H13 material supplier” and “DIN 1.2344 material supplier,” the company supports the die casting, extrusion, forging, and plastic mould sectors with deep stock and technical expertise.

Next steps

Share required size, hardness range, and application notes to receive a tailored quote with delivery timelines aligned to production needs. Technical teams can reference ESR options, tempering targets, and surface treatments in relation to die thermal cycles to achieve optimal tool life.

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