H12 vs H13
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
H12
Tool Steel
H12 is an H13-family hot work steel with about 1.5% tungsten added and slightly less vanadium. The tungsten improves resistance to softening while toughness stays high, suiting severe thermal shock duty.
Standards: DIN 1.2606 · AISI H12 · JIS SKD62 · GB 4Cr5MoWSiV (near)
H13
Tool Steel
H13 is the global standard hot work tool steel for aluminum die casting and extrusion. Its Cr-Mo-V chemistry resists heat checking and thermal fatigue while keeping good toughness at working temperatures.
Standards: DIN 1.2344 · AISI H13 · JIS SKD61 · GB 4Cr5MoSiV1
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | H12 | H13 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.30–0.40 | 0.32–0.45 |
| Si | 0.80–1.25 | 0.80–1.20 |
| Mn | 0.20–0.60 | 0.20–0.50 |
| Cr | 4.75–5.50 | 4.75–5.50 |
| Mo | 1.25–1.75 | 1.10–1.75 |
| W | 1.00–1.75 | — |
| V | 0.20–0.50 | 0.80–1.20 |
Properties compared
| Property | H12 | H13 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Working hardness | 40–52 HRC | 44–52 HRC |
| Density | 7.80 g/cm³ | 7.80 g/cm³ |
| Toughness | Better than H13 at equal hardness | — |
| Hot hardness | — | Excellent to ~600 °C |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: H12 · H13. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.