H11 ESR 1.2343 ESR hot work tool steel
1.2343 ESR tool steel features premium purity, great thermal fatigue resistance and balanced toughness. It fits aluminum die casting, hot extrusion and hot forging dies perfectly.
- Standard: Kind & Co USN, DIN 1.2343 ESR, AISI H11 ESR
- Technique: EAF + LF + VD + ESR, forged, multi-directional forging ratio ≥4, stress-relief annealed, homogenization heat treatment prior to forging
- Shape: Round, Flat, Plates, Blocks
- Heat treatment: Supplied in annealed condition, hardness ≤229 HBW; pre-hardened to 38–44 HRC (quenched and tempered) available on request (quenched and tempered) available on request
- Surface Treatment: Black (hot-rolled / forged surface), turned, milled / ground, sawn ends
- Tolerance: flat bars & plates thickness: +0.5/-0.0 mm (turned); forged blocks: ±0.2 mm
- MOQ: 1 Ton
We supply AISI H11 ESR in various custom sizes
flat size range
- Thickness: 6-200 mm
- Width: 40-1200 mm
block size range
- Thickness: 200-600 mm
- Width: 300-1000 mm
round size range
- Diameter: φ10-800 mm
Chemical Composition (%)
Grade | C | Si | Mn | P (≤) | S (≤) | Cr | Mo | V |
USN (1.2343 ESR) | 0.33–0.41 | 0.80–1.20 | 0.25–0.50 | 0.020 | 0.010 | 4.80–5.50 | 1.10–1.50 | 0.35–0.50 |
Main characteristics of H11 ESR tool steel
- ESR refined quality - extended die service life
- Excellent toughness - withstands severe thermal shock
- Thermal fatigue resistant - minimizes heat cracking
- High heat strength - stable at high temperatures
H11 ESR | 1.2343 ESR tool steel applications
H11 ESR steel for Aluminum Die Casting Die
ESR-refined high cleanliness gives USN outstanding resistance to heat checking and soldering, significantly prolonging die life in high-volume aluminum die casting.
H11 ESR steel for Hot Extrusion Die
Excellent toughness and high-temperature stability ensure consistent profile accuracy and long service life in aluminum extrusion under sustained thermal and mechanical loads.
H11 ESR steel for Hot Forging Die
Superior thermal shock resistance and temper stability withstand extreme heating and cooling cycles, making USN ideal for medium-duty hot forging of steel and light alloys.
Our Production Technology For Kind&Co USN (1.2343 ESR / H11 ESR / X37CrMoV5-1) Premium Hot Work Tool Steel
- EAF
- LF
- VD
- ESR
- Forged
- Spheroidizing Annealed
- Machined surface / Peeled
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) 100% as per SEP 1921 Class 3 D/d or E/e, ASTM A388, or EN 102283 (upon request)
- Micro Cleanliness as per ASTM E45 or DIN 50602 (ESR quality provides exceptionally low inclusion levels)
- Macrostructure, microstructure, grain size, mechanical properties and cleanliness shall meet the standards specified in GB/T 12992025 for Tool and Die Steels, as well as NADCA #2072016 standards
- Delivery condition: Soft annealed, max. 220 HB
mechanical properties & heat treatment of H11 ESR steel
| Heat temperature | Start forging temperature | Finish forging temperature | Cooling method |
| 1100 – 1150 °C | 1050 – 1100 °C | ≥ 850 °C | Pit, sand, or furnace cooling |
Annealing
- Heat slowly and uniformly to 820 – 840°C and hold for 4 – 6 hours
- Cool slowly in the furnace with a controlled cooling rate down to approximately 600°C
- Then air cool to room temperature
- Hardness after annealing: max. 220 HB
- Annealing in a protective atmosphere is recommended to reduce decarburization and surface scaling
Hardening
- USN (1.2343 ESR) is a Cr-Mo-V alloyed hot-work tool steel that can be hardened in air, oil, polymer or warm bath, providing flexibility for distortion control. ESR quality ensures isotropic properties and excellent response to heat treatment. Temper immediately after quenching
-
Pre-heating (recommended): Pre-heat the tool slowly to 600 – 650°C, then to 830 – 850°C, and soak thoroughly before austenitizing.
Alternative preheat range: 500 – 650°C -
Austenitizing temperature: 1000 – 1020°C.
Alternative range: 1000 – 1040°C for different applications.
Soaking time: 45 minutes at temperature after temperature equalization -
Quenching media:
Air (still air or pressurized gas) — for minimizing distortion, particularly suitable for vacuum furnace hardening.
Warm bath at approx. 540°C — for martempering, providing excellent distortion control.
Oil or polymer — for maximum hardness, with quenching interrupted at 230–280°C.
Vacuum hardening with nitrogen gas — recommended for optimal surface quality and minimal distortion - Hardness after quenching: approx. 46 – 56 HRC (depending on quenching method and section size). Obtainable hardness: 50–56 HRC
Stress relieving
- Perform after rough machining or heavy stock removal, especially for tools with complex shapes or unbalanced crosssections, to reduce the risk of distortion during final heat treatment
- Heat carefully to approx. 650°C and hold for 2 – 4 hours
- Cool slowly in the furnace
- This operation is recommended to eliminate residual stresses induced by mechanical working and to reduce distortion during hardening
Tempering
- Temper immediately after the workpiece cools to handwarm temperature (approx. 50–70°C). Delayed tempering may cause cracking
-
Number of tempers: Minimum 2 times. Three tempers are recommended for optimizing toughness, particularly for critical applications such as die-casting tools requiring maximum thermal fatigue resistance.
After each tempering cycle, cool to room temperature before the next tempering - Holding time: Soak for at least 1 hour per 20mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours per cycle)
- Cooling method: Air cool after each tempering cycle
Why Choose NSPM as Your H11 ESR Tool Steel Supplier
Source Direct
Direct mill cooperation ensures stable supply, competitive pricing, and consistent quality. Global resource integration and strong supply chain management guarantee reliable material sourcing and long-term availability.
Stock Ready
50,000+ tons inventory across 11 warehouses enables fast delivery. Flexible cutting, short lead times, and ready stock support urgent demands and improve customers’ production efficiency.
Expert Team
600+ professionals, including R&D specialists and technical engineers, provide application-driven support. Fast response and deep tooling knowledge ensure accurate solutions for diverse industrial needs.
Fully Inspected
Strict quality control system with full traceability, UT testing, and heat treatment records. Certified standards (ISO, CE) ensure every material meets high-performance and reliability requirements.
Full-Chain Machining
From steel supply to precision machining, heat treatment, and equipment manufacturing, NSPM offers integrated solutions that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and overall tooling performance.
