A Buyer's Guide to 1.2344 (DIN 1.2344)

Buying 1.2344 (DIN 1.2344) is straightforward once the delivery condition, the section size and the inspection level are agreed in writing. Most problems with this grade family come from vague enquiries rather than from the steel itself.

What the grade is

DIN 1.2344 belongs to the hot work tool steel family. Its defining characteristic is that the standard chromium molybdenum vanadium hot work grade, combining resistance to thermal fatigue with useful toughness at working temperature. That single property is the reason engineers select it, and it should drive everything else in the purchase specification.

Typical properties

In the condition in which it is normally supplied or used, the grade is quoted as hardened and tempered to 44 to 50 HRC. These figures are only meaningful when they are tied to a section size, a test position and a heat treatment condition, so ask for all three.

Where it is used

The usual applications are aluminium die casting dies, hot forging dies and extrusion tooling and pressure die casting inserts. Outside these applications the grade may still work, but the reason for choosing it usually disappears and a cheaper steel will do the same job.

Heat treatment and processing

Austenitise at 1020 to 1050 C, quench in air or in a vacuum furnace, temper twice at 500 to 600 C. Avoid tempering between 300 and 450 C where toughness drops.

What to specify when ordering

Specify the working hardness for the actual process, the ultrasonic test level for the die block, and the heat treatment source. Grade identity matters because several suppliers ship modified compositions under the same name.

Hubei Keyspark Special Steel Co., Ltd. runs two 20-ton EAF furnaces, two 20-ton LF ladle furnaces, a 20-ton VD unit and a 5-ton ESR furnace, with open-die forging, 12 precision heat treatment furnaces, four vacuum annealing furnaces and over twenty machining centres. Annual capacity is about 15,000 tonnes.

Website: https://keysparksteel.com/

Email: sales@keysparksteel.com

Mobile/WhatsApp: +86 15024056480