H23 vs H19
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.
H23
Tool Steel
H23 pairs about 12% chromium with 12% tungsten for hot work at the top of the temperature range, where oxidation and softening defeat lower-alloy dies. It is a niche grade for the hottest extrusion and forging contact surfaces.
Standards: AISI H23
H19
Tool Steel
H19 is a tungsten-cobalt hot work steel with red hardness well beyond the 5% chromium family. It serves the hottest die positions — brass extrusion and severe hot heading — where H13 softens too fast.
Standards: AISI H19
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | H23 | H19 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.25–0.35 | 0.35–0.45 |
| Si | 0.15–0.60 | 0.20–0.50 |
| Mn | 0.15–0.40 | 0.20–0.50 |
| Cr | 11.00–12.75 | 4.00–4.75 |
| W | 11.00–12.75 | 3.75–4.75 |
| V | 0.75–1.25 | 1.65–2.25 |
| Co | — | 4.00–4.75 |
Properties compared
| Property | H23 | H19 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Working hardness | 35–45 HRC | 40–52 HRC |
| Density | 8.30 g/cm³ | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Hot hardness | — | Very high (cobalt-bearing) |
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: H23 · H19. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.