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DIN 1.2738 HH

High-strength tool steel for demanding molds

DIN 1.2738 HH (High Hardness) is an improved version of 1.2738 steel, pre-hardened to a higher hardness (usually ~36–40 HRC). Thanks to the nickel, chromium and molybdenum content, it has good toughness, uniform hardness even in large cross-sections and is ideal for plastic molds with high demands on strength and surface. It is also suitable for molds with polishing, texturing or surface coating.


Alternative designation: 40CrMnNiMo864.6 HH
Type: Pre-hardened tool steel with higher hardness, suitable for mold making

Heat treatment:

  • Supplied pre-hardened - not intended for hardening

  • Annealing (optional): approx. 550–600 °C

  • Nitriding or PVD/CVD coatings available to increase surface hardness and durability

  • Polishing and texturing possible without further modifications

Forged blocks, HH tempered to 1050-1250 N/mm2


510

610

710

810

910

1010

1110

1210


510

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X





























Features:

  • Comes with a hardness of approx. 36–40 HRC (higher than standard 1.2738)

  • Uniform hardness even for large blocks and heavy molds

  • Good toughness and dimensional stability

  • Suitable for polishing, texturing and etching

  • Good machinability for given hardness

  • Can be nitrided or coated (e.g. PVD)

Use:

  • Plastic molds for large-scale production

  • Molds for technical and structural parts with higher mechanical loads

  • Mold carriers, inserts, cavities with higher hardness requirements

  • Molds for the automotive industry, containers, furniture parts

  • Molds requiring high surface quality and high wear resistance

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