H13 Tool Steel
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H13 tool steel is a chromium-molybdenum steel that is characterized by it's hardness, and resistance to abrasion and deformation. This material is harder than 17-4 PH Stainless Steel and capable of maintaining it's material properties at high temperatures.
3D Printing Process
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Bound Metal Deposition (BMD)
Common Applications
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Wear-resistant tools
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Mold inserts
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Extrusion dies
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Forging dies
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Sheet metal tooling
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Stamping tools
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Cutting tool bodies
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High-strength parts
About H13 Tool Steel
H13 tool steel is widely used in hot and cold work tooling applications with excellent material properties in high-temperature working conditions. Because of its excellent combination of high toughness and resistance to thermal fatigue cracking (also known as heat checking) H13 is used for more hot work tooling applications than any other tool steel. H13 is also used in a variety of cold work tooling applications, where H13 provides better wear resistance than common alloy steels.
3D printing is an excellent choice for producing parts with H13 because H13's hardness and toughness makes it difficult to machine. 3D printing can quickly fabricate tools, with complex geometries that would not be achievable with machining.
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200 µm magnification
Bound Metal Deposition 3D Printing Process
Bound Metal Deposition extrudes metal rods into complex shapes layer-by-layer. Once printed, parts are sintered in a furnace for final densification and removal of binder. This process achieves 98% density, similar to cast parts. Layer lines are typically visible and part surfaces are similar to cast part surfaces. This printing process can have closed-cell infill for lightweight strength.
Best for for all-purpose use, including:
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prototypes and end-use parts
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form-, fit- and function- testing
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Grades
Balace performance and affordability with your choice of Standard or High resolution 3D printing for Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) 3D printed metals.
Standard Resolution
Ideal for all-purpose use, including:
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prototypes and end-use parts
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form-, fit- and function- testing
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strength and density similar to cast metal
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industry-standard quality requirements
High Resolution
Ideal for specialty production, including:
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complex metal parts
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parts designed for demanding environments
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series production
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higher strength and density than cast metal
Finishing Options
Bead Blasting
Parts are blasted with fine glass bead to smooth surfaces and give a matte appearance. Recommended for consumer-facing parts.
Standard
All parts are cleaned and ready for use. There may be layer lines and residual marks from support structures.
Technical Specifications
Mechanical Properties
Properties | Standard | Heat Treated |
|---|---|---|
Charpy Impact* (J) | MPIF59 | 18 ± 3 |
Transverse Rupture Strength – Y (GPa) | ASTM B528 | 2.66 ± 0.1 |
Transverse Rupture Strength – X (GPa) | ASTM B528 | 2.98 ± .07 |
Elongation (%) | ASTM E8M | 2 ± 0.8 |
Ultimate tensile strength (MPa) | ASTM E8M | 1520 ± 40 |
Density (g/cc) | ASTM B311 | 7.4 |
Hardness (Vickers) | ASTME92 | 425 |
0.2% Yield strength (MPa) | ASTM E8M | 1400 ± 40 |
Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
S | 0.03 (Max) |
P | 0.03 (Max) |
V | 0.8 – 1.2 |
Si | 0.8 – 1.2 |
Mo | 1.10 – 1.75 |
Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 |
Cr | 4.75 – 5.50 |
C | 0.32 – 0.45 |
Fe | balance |
Composition %
Standard |
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ASTM A681 |
DIN 1.2344 |
X40CrMoV5-1 |
Other Standard Designations
Design Guidelines
Maximum part size
Standard Resolution High Resolution
X 240 mm 9.4 in X 60 mm 2.4 in
Y 240 mm 9.4 in Y 60 mm 2.4 in
Z 240 mm 9.4 in Z 60 mm 2.4 in
To optimize for fabrication success, the recommended maximum part size is 150 x 150 x 110 mm (6.0 x 6.0 x 4.3 in).
Minimum part size
Standard Resolution High Resolution
X 6mm 0.24in X 3mm 0.14in
Y 6mm 0.24in Y 3mm 0.14in
Z 6mm 0.24in Z 3mm 0.14in
The minimum part size considers the minimum number of bottom layers, top layers, and toolpaths within a wall required to produce a successful part.
Minimum wall thickness
Standard Resolution High Resolution
1.0 mm 0.6 mm
The minimum wall thickness considers structural integrity during sintering. Wall thickness must be at least two toolpaths wide, or approximately 1mm. When printing a wall greater than 8mm tall, the ratio of height to width must not exceed 8:1.
Minimum Pin Diameter
Standard Resolution High Resolution
3.0mm 0.12in 1.5mm 0.06in
Pins should obey the aspect ratio guideline of 8:1.
Minimum embossed feature
Standard Resolution High Resolution
X/Y W 0.45mm 0.018in W 0.30mm 0.012in
H 0.50mm 0.020in H 0.30mm 0.012in
Z W 0.25mm 0.010in W 0.15mm 0.006in
H 0.50mm 0.020in H 0.30mm 0.012in
Embossed features are proud of the surface of the model. If an embossed feature is too thin, it likely will not print.
Minimum debossed feature
Standard Resolution High Resolution
X/Y W 0.45mm 0.018in W 0.30mm 0.012in
H 0.50mm 0.020in H 0.30mm 0.012in
Z W 0.25mm 0.010in W 0.15mm 0.006in
H 0.50mm 0.020in H 0.30mm 0.012in
Debossed features are typically used for surface detailing and text on the surface of the model. If a debossed feature is too thin, it risks over-extrusions that fill in the engraved feature.
Minimum unsupported overhang angle
Standard Resolution High Resolution
40 degrees 40 degrees
Overhangs greater than 40° from planar will require supports.
Minimum clearance
Standard Resolution High Resolution
0.3mm 0.0012in 0.3mm 0.0012in
The additive nature of 3D printing enables the fabrication of multiple parts as printed in-place assemblies with moving or embedded parts. Interlocking components should have 0.300mm (0.011in) of clearance.
Aspect ratio
Standard Resolution High Resolution
8:1 8:1
Unsupported tall, thin features are challenging for debind and sintering processes and should be limited when possible. The ratio of height to width for tall walls or pillars should not exceed 8:1. Tall cylinders and walls are the least stable geometries.
Use Case Examples
Extrusion Die
Hot extrusion works by heating a metal above it's recrystallization temperature, then pressing thorugh a steel die using an enormous amount of pressure. This pressure is used to force the metal into a desired shape. H13 tool steel is an excellent material for extrusion dies due to it's overall toughness and resistance to high temperatures and abrasion.
Additive manufacturing is an excellent choice for creating extrusion dies because of the complicated geometry of the parts. The 3D printing allows designers to rapidly create different iterations of a new design during the prototyping process.
Zipper Mold
zippers are often produced in high volumes in order to achieve a low cost per part. The primary manufacturing method for metal zippers is die casting. This die cast mold is used to create custom metal zippers out of zinc. This mold also featres many fine details including a logo, textures and subtle draft angles that allow the final part to release effectively from the mold. This part was printed with a high-resolution 250µm nozzle to achieve the high level of detail.
H13 tool steel was used to create this mold to minimize the risk of cracking due to thermal fatigue, which results from rapid heating and cooling cycles. H13 is able to withstand the high working temperature and sudden temperatrue changes, and its toughness resists damaging the mold through abrasion.
A Master Unit Die (MUD) is a popular type of injection mold that is designed for small to medium-sized production runs of plastic parts. It consists of a unit die that houses swappable mold inserts to provide the core and cavity of the part being molded. The hot molten material is injected into the core & cavity and then sets hard into shape.
H13 tool steel has the heat resistance and toughness to resist the heat and abrasion of the molding process, and producing a long-lasting mold.
This particular design has internal cooling channels which allows the mold to cool more quickly, allwoign more parts to be molded every hour.
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