A Buyer's Guide to 1.2379 (DIN 1.2379)

Buying 1.2379 (DIN 1.2379) 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 1.2379 belongs to the cold work tool steel family. Its defining characteristic is that a high carbon high chromium grade with about 12 percent chromium and 1.5 percent carbon that provides excellent wear resistance in blanking and forming. 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 58 to 62 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 blanking and piercing dies, trimming tools and cold forming and roll tooling. 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

Preheat slowly to 800 C before raising to the 1000 to 1050 C austenitising temperature. Quench in oil, warm oil or gas. Temper at least twice, keeping away from the 300 to 500 C range.

What to specify when ordering

Ask for the carbide segregation rating and the amount of hot reduction. Wear resistance is limited by carbide quality, and poorly worked material chips even at the correct hardness.

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.

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