DH2F Material Detailed Information
DH2F is a pre-hardened hot work tool steel with excellent toughness, heat resistance, and machinability. It is commonly used in die-casting molds, forging dies, and plastic molds requiring high strength and thermal stability.
DH2F is developed as an improved version of SKD61 (AISI H13, DIN 1.2344) but comes in a pre-hardened condition (typically 37-43 HRC), eliminating the need for further heat treatment before use.
Key Features
- Pre-Hardened Condition: No need for additional heat treatment.
- High Toughness: Reduced risk of cracking under high stress.
- Good Thermal Conductivity: Enhances cooling efficiency in die-casting molds.
- Excellent Heat Resistance: Can withstand repeated heating and cooling cycles.
- Improved Machinability: Easier to cut and machine compared to SKD61.
- Good Wear Resistance: Suitable for high-pressure molding applications.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.35 – 0.42 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 4.50 – 5.50 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.00 – 1.50 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.30 – 0.80 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 – 0.50 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.80 – 1.20 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Hardness (Pre-hardened) | 37-43 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | ~1,300 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~1,000 MPa |
| Impact Toughness | High |
| Wear Resistance | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent |
| Machinability | Superior to SKD61 |
DH2F vs. SKD61 vs. H13 (AISI)
| Property | DH2F | SKD61 (JIS) | H13 (AISI) |
| Hardness (As Supplied) | 37-43 HRC | Annealed (~200 HB) | Annealed (~200 HB) |
| Wear Resistance | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Toughness | High | Medium | Medium |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Machinability | Better | Moderate | Moderate |
| Need for Heat Treatment | No (Pre-hardened) | Yes | Yes |
Applications
DH2F is widely used in hot work tooling applications, including:
- Die-casting molds (Aluminum, Magnesium, Zinc)
- Plastic injection molds (High-temperature plastics)
- Forging dies and extrusion dies
- Hot stamping and hot shear blades
- Core and cavity inserts for high-temperature molding
- Wear-resistant mechanical parts in high-temperature environments
Heat Treatment Process
Since DH2F is pre-hardened, additional heat treatment is usually not required. However, for further hardening or surface treatments, the following processes can be applied:
Annealing (for softening)
- Heat to 850–880°C, then slow cool in the furnace.
Hardening (if additional hardness is required)
- Heat to 1,000–1,050°C, then quench in air or oil.
Tempering
- Heat at 500–600°C to adjust hardness and toughness.
Surface Treatments
- Nitriding or PVD Coating to improve wear resistance.
Alternative Materials
- SKD61 / H13 / 1.2344 – Similar hot work tool steels but require heat treatment.
- DH31-S – Higher hardness and better wear resistance than DH2F.
- DAC-MAGIC (Daido Steel) – Pre-hardened hot work steel with even better machinability.
- 8407 Supreme (Böhler Uddeholm) – High-purity H13 equivalent with enhanced toughness.
Conclusion
DH2F is an advanced pre-hardened hot work tool steel that offers a balance of toughness, heat resistance, and machinability. It is an excellent choice for die-casting molds, plastic injection molds, and high-temperature tooling applications.
