Tool & Die Steel
Professional manufacturer and supplier of tool and die steel for industrial applications worldwide. Quality guaranteed with full certifications.
Tool & Die Steel
Tool and die steel is a family of high-alloy specialty steels engineered for manufacturing tools, dies, molds, and components that require exceptional hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. CREATEEL supplies cold work steel (D2/1.2379), hot work steel (H13/1.2344, 1.2714/55NiCrMoV7), and plastic mold steel (P20/1.2311, 718H/1.2738) in forged forms including blocks, modules, round bars and flat bars.
Our tool steel forgings are produced by our partner mills with ESR refining for critical grades and undergo rigorous quality control including ultrasonic testing, hardness verification, and spectrometric chemical analysis. We offer complete processing services including precision CNC machining, heat treatment, surface grinding, and quality inspection.
Technical Specifications
Common Tool and Die Steel Grades
| Steel Grade | Type | Hardness (HRC) | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 (1.2379) | Cold Work | 58-62 | Blanking dies, forming dies |
| 718H (1.2738) | Plastic Mold (Pre-hardened) | 30-36 | Injection molds, mold bases |
| H13 (1.2344) | Hot Work | 44-52 | Die casting, extrusion dies |
| P20 (1.2311) | Plastic Mold | 30-36 | Injection molds, die casting |
| 1.2714 (55NiCrMoV7) | Hot Work | 36-44 | Die holder blocks, forging dies, press dies |
Available Dimensions
| Product Form | Diameter/Thickness | Length | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Bars (Forged) | 150 – 800mm | 1000 – 12000mm | H8-H13 / Custom |
| Flat Bars | 80 – 500mm | 1000 – 6000mm | +/- 0.05mm |
| Square Bars | 80 – 300mm | 1000 – 6000mm | +/- 0.1mm |
| Plates/Blocks | 100 – 600mm | Custom | +/- 0.5mm |
* Custom dimensions available upon request.
Chemical Composition (%)
| Grade | C | Si | Mn | Cr | Mo | V | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | 1.40-1.60 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 11.0-13.0 | 0.70-1.20 | 0.90 | – |
| H13 | 0.32-0.45 | 0.80-1.20 | 0.20-0.50 | 4.75-5.50 | 1.10-1.75 | 0.80-1.20 | – |
| P20 | 0.28-0.40 | 0.20-0.80 | 0.60-1.00 | 1.40-2.00 | 0.30-0.55 | – | – |
| 718H | 0.33-0.43 | ≤0.40 | 1.30-1.60 | 1.80-2.10 | 0.15-0.35 | – | – |
| 1.2714 | 0.50-0.60 | 0.10-0.40 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.25-0.35 | 0.05-0.15 | – |
* 718H and 1.2714 also contain Ni (0.90-1.20% and 1.50-1.80% respectively). Representative compositions; EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate supplied per heat.
Heat Treatment Services
| Process | Temperature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | 780-850 C | Soften material |
| Quenching | 980-1050 C | Achieve high hardness |
| Tempering | 150-600 C | Balance hardness/toughness |
| Nitriding | 500-590 C | Surface hardness |
Quality Testing
| Test | Standard | Description |
|---|---|---|
| UT | ASTM E2375 | Internal defect detection |
| MT | ASTM E709 | Surface crack detection |
| PT | ASTM E165 | Surface flaw detection |
| Hardness | ASTM E18/E384 | HRC/HV verification |
| Spectrometry | ASTM E1251 | Composition analysis |
Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV) available.
Manufacturing Process
Our forged steel products are produced through a 12-step forging process combining controlled heating, precision open/closed-die forging, tailored heat treatment, and CNC finish machining to achieve superior metallurgical structure and dimensional accuracy.
Raw Material Selection & Inspection
High-quality ingots or continuous-cast billets (EAF-LF-VD refined) are selected based on grade specification. Chemical analysis, surface inspection, and UT testing are performed.
Billet Sawing to Forging Blanks
Raw stock is cut to calculated forging weights using high-speed band saws, accounting for scale loss, flash, and machining allowances.
Furnace Heating
Blanks are heated to 1150–1250°C (depending on grade) in a gas-fired bogie-hearth or chamber furnace with precise zone temperature control to ensure uniform austenitization.
Open-Die / Closed-Die Forging
Heated blanks are forged using hydraulic presses or air hammers. Open-die forging uses flat/V-dies for simple bars; closed-die forging uses precision tooling for near-net-shape profiled components.
Trimming & Punching (Closed-Die)
For closed-die forgings, excess flash is trimmed in a mechanical press and holes are punched while the part is still hot, improving material utilization.
Post-Forging Heat Treatment
Forgings undergo normalizing, annealing, or quenching & tempering per material grade to refine grain structure, relieve residual stresses, and achieve specified hardness and mechanical properties.
Blasting & Surface Cleaning
Scale and oxide layer are removed by shot blasting (steel shot S230–S330) to reveal surface defects and prepare for machining.
Rough Machining
Excess forging allowance is removed by CNC lathe turning, leaving 2–3 mm finishing stock. Rough machining also removes surface decarburization and forging irregularities.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
100% ultrasonic inspection per EN 10228-3 or ASTM A388 detects internal defects such as cracks, inclusions, porosity, and segregation. Acceptance criteria as per grade requirements.
Finish Machining
CNC turning, milling, and drilling achieve final dimensional tolerances (up to IT7) and surface roughness (Ra 1.6–3.2 μm) per customer drawings.
Hardness & Metallographic Testing
Brinell/Rockwell hardness verification, tensile testing on sacrificial coupons, and metallographic examination for grain size, inclusion rating, and carbide structure (critical for tool/die steels).
Final Inspection & Packaging
Dimensional inspection of all critical features, MPI/LPT for surface defects if required, stamping grade and heat number, rust-proof oiling, and packing in wooden cases or steel bundles.
Applications
Where our products deliver proven performance across industries worldwide.
Plastic Mold & Die Bases
Pre-hardened P20/2738 and hardened H13 supply mold cores, cavities, and mold bases for injection molding and die casting.
✓ Pre-hardened 28–42 HRC
Stamping & Forming Dies
Cold-work steels (D2, DC53, O1) deliver wear resistance for stamping, blanking, and forming dies in high-volume production.
✓ 60+ HRC after heat treatment
Die Casting Dies
H13/1.2344 ESR provides the thermal fatigue resistance demanded by aluminum and magnesium die-casting dies.
✓ ESR remelted options
Cutting Tools & Blades
High-speed steel (M2, M35) and powder-metallurgy grades supply blades, taps, drills, and saw tooling.
✓ HSS & PM grades
Hot Work & Forging Dies
5CrNiMo/5CrMnMo and H13 serve hammer dies, press dies, and hot-shear blades under thermal cycling.
✓ Thermal fatigue resistant
Custom Steel & Machined Blocks
Cut-to-size blocks, plates, and pre-machined die sets with hardness and UT verification.
✓ Block supply to drawing
Frequently Asked Questions
What tool and die steel grades do you supply?＋
Cold work: D2/1.2379, O1/1.2510, DC53; hot work: H13/1.2344, H11, 5CrNiMo; plastic mold: P20/1.2311, 2738/1.2312, 420/1.2083; HSS M2/M35.
What delivery conditions are offered?＋
Pre-hardened (P20 28–34 HRC, 2738 30–36 HRC), annealed (for customer heat treatment), and hardened+tempered blocks — with certified hardness.
What standards apply?＋
GB/T 1299, ASTM A681, EN ISO 4957, with EN 10204 3.1 certification and cleanliness/annealing structure reports.
Why choose ESR (electroslag remelted) H13 for die casting?＋
ESR refines carbides and removes inclusions, sharply reducing heat-check cracking on die-casting die surfaces — extending die life significantly.
What size range is available?＋
Bar 20–800 mm, block/plate cut-to-size up to 1000 mm thick, with UT verification per SEP 1921 / NNS class.
Do you supply heat treatment services?＋
Yes — vacuum heat treatment, quench + temper, and nitriding available with process charts and hardness/uniformity reports.
What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?＋
Cut-to-size from single blocks; mill-rolled sizes typically 4–8 weeks. Stock items ship in days. Contact us for a firm quotation.
How is ultrasonic quality verified?＋
100% UT per SEP 1921 (Class D/d per agreement) — critical for die blocks where internal defects cause premature cracking.
Can you machine blocks to near-net shape?＋
Yes — milling, drilling, and gun-drilling (cooling channels) delivered die-ready.
What documentation comes with my order?＋
EN 10204 3.1 MTCs, hardness reports, UT certificates, and heat treatment charts where applicable.
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