1.2344 / 1.2344 ESU Hot-work steel

Designation

Chemical composition:

STRENGTH:

max. 230 HB
(≈ max. 780 N/mm²)

Thermal conductivity at 100 °C: 26 W/m K

Character:

high-alloy hot-work steel, high heat resistance, high wear resistance, good toughness, thermal conductivity and hot cracks resistance, limited use for water cooling; for very high requirements available in grade *ESR (Electro-Slag Remelted)

Application:

standard material for hot-work tools, extrusion moulds, dies, tools for plastic processing

Treatment by

Polishing, etching, EDM, nitriding » is possible
Hard chroming » in special cases

Heat treatment:

Soft annealing:
750 to 800 °C for about 4 to 5 hours; slow controlled cooling of 10 to 20 °C per hour to about 600 °C; further cooling in air, max. 230 HB

Hardening:
1020 to 1060 °C
15 to 30 minutes keeping curing temperature
quenching in water/oil
obtainable hardness: 54 HRC

Tempering:
slow heating to tempering temperature immediately after hardening; minimum time in furnace: 1 hour per 20 mm part thickness

Technical tip:

• susceptible to corrosion; during machining, continuous corrosion protection has to be ensured (especially during wire EDM)
• 1.2344 ESRH is very suitable for mirror polishing