Short answer: H13, DIN 1.2344 and JIS SKD61 are commonly treated as equivalent hot work tool steels. They are widely used for die casting dies, extrusion tooling, hot forging tools, inserts, cores and other high-temperature tooling parts.
However, they are not always identical line-by-line across AISI / ASTM, DIN / EN, JIS and GB standards. Final purchase should follow the buyer's drawing, required standard, delivery condition, Mill Test Certificate (MTC), heat treatment route and inspection requirements.
This guide is written for overseas buyers comparing H13, 1.2344, SKD61 and GB 4Cr5MoSiV1 before requesting a quotation from China.
1. What Are H13, 1.2344 and SKD61?
H13, 1.2344 and SKD61 are chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steels. They are designed for tooling that needs hot strength, thermal fatigue resistance, toughness and controlled wear resistance.
- Aluminum die casting dies
- Hot forging dies and tools
- Extrusion dies and tooling
- Die inserts and mold inserts
- Cores, core pins and sleeves
- Hot shear blades
- High-temperature tooling parts
Although these grades are often treated as equivalent materials, buyers should not rely only on the grade name. The actual material should be checked by chemical composition, delivery condition, hardness, heat treatment, UT requirement and quality documents.
2. Equivalent Grade Comparison
| Standard system | Grade | Common name | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM | H13 | H13 | Commonly used in North American and international drawings |
| DIN / W.Nr. | 1.2344 | X40CrMoV5-1 | Common European hot work tool steel designation |
| JIS | SKD61 | SKD61 | Common in Japanese and Southeast Asian tooling projects |
| GB | 4Cr5MoSiV1 | 4Cr5MoSiV1 | Chinese equivalent grade for H13-type hot work steel |
These grades are commonly compared as equivalent materials, but the exact chemistry and inspection requirements should be confirmed according to the order standard and MTC.
3. Are H13, 1.2344 and SKD61 Exactly the Same?
They are similar, but not always exactly the same. Each grade belongs to a different national or industrial standard. The allowed chemical composition range, impurity control, heat treatment process and inspection requirements may vary slightly.
- Required standard and grade name
- Chemical composition shown on the MTC
- Annealed, pre-hardened or heat-treated condition
- Hardness requirement
- ESR or non-ESR requirement
- Ultrasonic testing requirement and acceptance level
- Surface condition and machining allowance
- Final application and heat treatment route
4. Chemical Composition: General H13-Type Reference
The following table is a general reference range only. Final values depend on the specified standard and the Mill Test Certificate supplied with the material.
| Element | General H13-type reference range |
|---|---|
| C | 0.35-0.42 |
| Si | 0.80-1.20 |
| Mn | 0.25-0.50 |
| Cr | 4.80-5.50 |
| Mo | 1.20-1.50 |
| V | 0.85-1.15 |
| P | ≤0.030 |
| S | ≤0.030 |
This table is for general comparison only. AISI H13, DIN 1.2344, JIS SKD61 and GB 4Cr5MoSiV1 may have small differences in allowed ranges. For purchase orders, the required standard and MTC should be used as the final reference.
5. Main Performance Features
- Good resistance to thermal fatigue
- Good toughness after heat treatment
- Good hot strength
- Good hardenability
- Good resistance to heat checking
- Good machinability in annealed condition
- Suitable for nitriding and surface treatment when specified correctly
- Suitable for die casting, hot forming and extrusion tooling applications
6. Common Applications
Aluminum Die Casting Dies
H13 / 1.2344 / SKD61 is one of the most common materials for aluminum die casting dies. It can handle repeated heating and cooling cycles and offers good resistance to heat checking.
- Die casting molds
- Die inserts
- Core pins
- Sleeves
- Slides
- Hot work mold components
Hot Forging Dies
For hot forging applications, this steel provides toughness and hot strength under repeated impact and high-temperature working conditions.
- Hot forging dies
- Press forging tools
- Hammer forging dies
- Die blocks
- Inserts
Extrusion Tools
H13-type steel is also used for extrusion tooling because it maintains strength under high temperature.
- Extrusion dies
- Mandrels
- Die holders
- Hot extrusion tooling
7. Available Supply Forms
- Steel plate
- Round bar
- Flat bar
- Forged block
- Cut-to-size pieces
- Milled plate or block
- Ground plate or block
- Peeled round bar
- ESR material upon request
8. Delivery Condition
| Delivery condition | Description | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|
| Annealed | Easier for machining before final heat treatment | Common for mold makers who will machine and heat treat locally |
| Pre-machined | Cut, milled, ground or peeled according to size requirement | Confirm tolerance, surface and machining allowance |
| Quenched and tempered | Supplied according to hardness requirement | State target hardness and inspection method |
| ESR | Higher cleanliness and homogeneity for demanding tools | Confirm whether ESR is required before quotation |
9. Heat Treatment Notes
Heat treatment has a strong influence on the final performance of H13 / 1.2344 / SKD61. Buyers should not judge the material only by grade name. A correct heat treatment process is essential for tool life.
- Preheating
- Austenitizing temperature
- Quenching method
- Tempering temperature
- Number of tempering cycles
- Final hardness
- Stress relieving
- Nitriding or surface treatment if required
10. How Should Buyers Choose Between H13, 1.2344 and SKD61?
| Buyer situation | Recommended quotation name | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| US or ASTM-based drawing | H13 | ASTM/AISI reference, delivery condition, hardness, MTC |
| European mold or die project | 1.2344 / X40CrMoV5-1 | EN/DIN standard, ESR requirement, UT level, heat treatment condition |
| Japanese or Southeast Asian project | SKD61 | JIS requirement, hardness, machining allowance, MTC |
| Aluminum die casting die | H13 ESR or 1.2344 ESR if required | ESR, UT, toughness, heat treatment route |
| General hot work tooling | H13-type hot work steel | Size, surface, condition, delivery time, inspection |
11. H13 ESR / 1.2344 ESR: When Is It Needed?
ESR can improve cleanliness, homogeneity and reliability for demanding tooling. It is often requested for high-performance die casting dies, large inserts, parts with high thermal fatigue risk, and premium mold applications.
Not every order needs ESR. Buyers should confirm whether ESR is required by the drawing, tooling risk, customer specification or budget before asking for a final quotation.
12. What Should Buyers Check Before Ordering?
- Required grade name and standard
- Size and tolerance
- Plate, block or round bar
- Black, milled, ground, peeled or machined surface
- Annealed, pre-hardened or heat-treated condition
- Hardness requirement
- UT requirement and acceptance level
- MTC requirement
- ESR or non-ESR
- Quantity and delivery schedule
- Destination port or delivery address
13. What Information Should You Send for a Fast Quotation?
- Grade: H13 / 1.2344 / SKD61 / 4Cr5MoSiV1
- Size: thickness x width x length, diameter x length, or block dimensions
- Quantity or weight
- Surface condition
- Required hardness or delivery condition
- UT / ESR / MTC requirements
- Destination port or country
- Expected delivery time
14. Common Mistakes When Buying H13-Type Steel
- Only asking for the cheapest H13 without confirming standard
- Not checking whether ESR material is required
- Ignoring heat treatment requirements
- Not asking for MTC
- Not confirming UT testing for thick blocks
- Mixing H13, 1.2344 and SKD61 without confirming customer approval
- Not checking surface condition before shipment
- Not calculating final machining allowance
15. How Haoyuan Special Steel Supports Buyers
Haoyuan Special Steel supplies H13 / 1.2344 / SKD61 hot work tool steel for mold makers, tool steel buyers, distributors and industrial buyers.
- Plates, round bars, blocks and cut-to-size pieces
- Black, milled, ground or peeled surface depending on order
- Grade comparison and quotation name support
- Weight calculation and cutting plan support
- MTC support
- Hardness test support
- UT support upon request
- ESR option when required by the project
- Export packing
- Heat number marking
- Photos before shipment if needed
- Shipment coordination for overseas orders
Conclusion
H13, 1.2344 and SKD61 are commonly used equivalent grades of hot work tool steel. They are widely used for die casting dies, hot forging dies, extrusion tools and other high-temperature tooling applications.
Although they are similar, buyers should always confirm the required standard, chemical composition, delivery condition, heat treatment, hardness, UT / ESR requirements, inspection documents and MTC before ordering.
Request a Quote
Send us your H13 / 1.2344 / SKD61 size list, required standard, surface condition, hardness, UT/ESR requirement and destination port. We will check availability, production route, estimated weight, delivery time and export cost.
- Grade and standard
- Size or drawing
- Quantity or weight
- Surface condition
- Hardness or delivery condition
- UT / ESR / MTC requirements
- Destination port or delivery address
FAQ
1. Are H13, 1.2344 and SKD61 exactly the same?
They are commonly treated as equivalent H13-type hot work tool steels, but they are not always identical line by line across standards. Buyers should confirm the required standard, chemistry, condition, inspection and MTC.
2. Is 1.2344 the same as H13?
DIN 1.2344 / X40CrMoV5-1 is the common European equivalent of AISI H13. For purchasing, the drawing standard, delivery condition, heat treatment and MTC should still be checked.
3. What is the GB equivalent of H13?
The common Chinese GB equivalent for H13-type hot work steel is 4Cr5MoSiV1. The purchase order should define the exact GB requirement and inspection documents.
4. When should I choose H13 ESR or 1.2344 ESR?
ESR is often chosen for demanding die casting dies, large inserts, high thermal fatigue risk parts and premium mold applications. It is not necessary for every order, so buyers should confirm the drawing, tooling risk, customer specification and budget.
5. Is H13 suitable for aluminum die casting dies?
Yes. H13-type hot work tool steel is widely used for aluminum die casting dies, inserts, cores and sleeves because it provides hot strength, toughness and resistance to heat checking after proper heat treatment.
6. What hardness is H13 usually supplied in?
H13 is commonly supplied annealed for machining before final heat treatment, or heat treated to a specified hardness when required. The exact hardness should be stated in the inquiry or drawing.
7. Can H13 be nitrided?
Yes. H13-type steel can be nitrided for surface wear resistance when the application and heat treatment route allow it. The nitriding requirement should be confirmed before final processing.
8. Do I need UT testing for thick H13 blocks?
UT is often requested for thick plates, forged blocks and critical die components. Buyers should define the UT standard and acceptance level in the purchase order.
9. What should I check before buying H13 steel from China?
Confirm grade and standard, size and tolerance, surface, condition, hardness, UT level, ESR or non-ESR, MTC, heat number marking, packing, quantity, delivery time and destination.
10. What information is needed for a fast quotation?
Send the grade, size, quantity or weight, surface condition, hardness or delivery condition, UT / ESR / MTC requirements, destination port or country and expected delivery time.