Tool Steel Selection for Die Casting Dies & Inserts
Select tool steel by casting alloy, molten metal temperature, heat checking resistance, hot hardness, erosion resistance, and toughness requirement. For die casting dies and inserts, the main choice is usually between thermal fatigue resistance, hot strength, erosion resistance, and resistance to cracking.
Quick Selection Guide by Tool Steel Grade
Choose the grade according to whether the die is used for aluminum, magnesium, zinc, lead, brass, copper, inserts, cores, or holder blocks.
Acero para herramientas H13 1.2344 / SKD61
Recommended for aluminum and magnesium die casting dies, inserts, and cores.
Acero para herramientas H11 1.2343 / SKD6
Recommended for aluminum and magnesium die casting inserts, cores, and tooling where toughness is critical.
P20 Mold Steel 1.2311
Recommended for short to medium-run zinc die casting dies, inserts, and die holder blocks.
Acero para herramientas H13 1.2344 / SKD61
Recommended for long-run zinc die casting dies that need superior wear life over many casting cycles.
Acero para herramientas H21 1.2581 / SKD5
Recommended for brass and copper die casting dies and inserts under high operating temperatures.
Acero para herramientas H10 1.2365 / SKD7
Recommended for high-temperature die casting dies and inserts where stronger hot-work performance is required.
Selection Summary
This table gives a faster comparison when the buyer already knows the casting alloy and main die failure risk.
| Die Casting Application | Requisito principal | Aobo Steel Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum and magnesium die casting dies, inserts, and cores | Thermal fatigue resistance, hot hardness, toughness, and erosion resistance | H13, H11 |
| High-velocity aluminum flow or erosion-prone areas | Resistance to washing, soldering, and molten aluminum erosion | H13 |
| Short to medium-run zinc die casting dies and holder blocks | Cost control, prehardened supply, and low distortion risk | P20 |
| Long-run zinc die casting dies | Higher wear life and heat-checking resistance over many cycles | H13, H11 |
| Brass and copper die casting dies and inserts | Red hardness and resistance to softening at high temperature | H21 |
| High-temperature hot-work die casting applications | Hot strength, tempering resistance, and thermal fatigue resistance | H10, H21 |
Need Tool Steel for Die Casting Dies or Inserts?
Send your grade, size, quantity, casting alloy, and die application. Aobo Steel can support bulk supply of hot-work tool steel and mold steel round bars and plates for industrial buyers.