DIN X38CrMoV5-3 1.2367 Hot Work Tool Steel

Product Overview

X38CrMoV5-3 (material number 1.2367) is a high-performance chromium‑molybdenum‑vanadium hot work tool steel complying with DIN EN ISO 4957 and DIN 17350 standards. It delivers an outstanding balance of high wear resistance, excellent hardenability, exceptional dimensional stability, and moderate toughness, making it ideal for high‑stress dies, tools, and molds operating under cyclic thermal and mechanical loads.

This alloyed tool steel is widely used in the tool, die, and mold making industry for applications requiring consistent hardness, stable mechanical properties, and long service life after proper heat treatment.

Key Properties & Advantages

• Excellent high‑temperature strength & red hardness: Stable performance at 500–600 °C.

• Superior thermal fatigue resistance: Reduces heat checking and cracking in die‑casting and hot forging tools.

• High hardenability: Uniform hardness even in large‑cross‑section components.

• Good toughness & wear resistance: Balances hardness and impact resistance.

• Low distortion during heat treatment: Ensures high dimensional accuracy for precision molds.

• Strong resistance to temper softening: Maintains hardness after repeated tempering cycles.

Steel Equivalent

Product Features

Chemical Composition

Mechanical Properties & Hardness

• Tensile strength: ~600–610 MPa (after proper heat treatment)

• Yield strength: ≥ 500 MPa

• Impact toughness: Good for hot work applications

Heat Treatment

1. Annealing

• Heat to 780–800 °C

• Cool slowly to ~650 °C

• Furnace cool then air cool to room temperature

• Result: Soft, machinable condition

2. Quenching & Tempering

• Preheat: 650–700 °C

• Austenitize: 1030–1050 °C (salt bath furnace)

• Quench medium: Oil

• Temper: 540–560 °C

• Cool: Air cooling

• Final hardness: HRC 50–54

Above curve in figure is a rough guide to the tempering behaviour of steels.

Melting & Production Process

• Standard: EF + LF + VD

• Premium: EF + LF + VD + ESR (electroslag remelting) for improved purity, isotropy, and internal soundness

Forging:

• Start temperature: 1050–1150 °C

• Finish temperature: ≥ 850 °C

• Cool slowly in furnace

Ultrasonic Testing

• Complies with EN 10228‑3 Class III or SEP 1921‑84 D/D

• Ensures internal quality for critical tooling

Supply Forms & Dimensions

Surface Finish & Tolerance

Typical Applications

1. Hot Work Dies

• Aluminum / magnesium die‑casting dies and inserts

• Hot forging dies for steel and non‑ferrous metals

• Hot extrusion dies for aluminum profiles

• Die inserts and core pins for high‑temperature molds

2. Cold Work Dies

• Fine blanking dies & precision punches

• Progressive stamping dies

• Trimming dies for high‑hardness sheet metal

• Cold heading dies for bolts, nuts, and fasteners

• Embossing, drawing, and bending dies

3. Cutting Tools & Wear Parts

• Planer blades, cutters for wood, plastics, non‑ferrous metals

• High‑wear gauges, guides, and precision measuring tools

• Wear plates, bushings, and rollers in industrial machinery

4. Plastic Molds

• Molds for glass‑fiber reinforced plastics (abrasive fillers)

• PVC and corrosion‑resistant plastic molds

• High‑precision injection molds requiring long service life

Comparison: 1.2367 vs 1.2344 (H13) vs 1.2379 (D2)

FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between 1.2367 and H13 (1.2344)?

A1: 1.2367 has higher molybdenum (2.7–3.2% vs ~1.3% in H13) and vanadium content, providing better temper resistance and thermal fatigue strength. It operates at higher service temperatures (up to 600°C) compared to H13’s 550°C limit.

Q2: Can 1.2367 be used for aluminum die casting?

A2: Yes, it is an excellent choice for aluminum die casting cores and inserts, especially for large parts requiring high toughness and resistance to heat checking. Many foundries use 1.2367 as an upgrade over H11 or H13.

Q3: What hardness can I achieve after heat treatment?

A3: After quenching from 1030–1050°C and double tempering at 540–560°C, typical hardness is 48–52 HRC. For cold work applications, tempering at 500–520°C can achieve 54–56 HRC (with reduced toughness).

Q4: What surface finishes do you offer?

A4: Black (as-forged/rolled), turned, milled, ground (up to ±0.05 mm), polished, and peeled. We recommend ground or polished for die components requiring tight dimensional accuracy.

Q5: Can you provide material certificates?

A5: Yes, we provide EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates, including chemical composition, mechanical properties, and ultrasonic test reports.

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