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1.2343 Flat Steel Bar

Name: 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar
Brand: fushun
SKU: 18507373
Rating: 4.75 (10 reviews)

Categories	Tool Steel Bars
Brand	fushun
Model	1.2343
FOB port	Shanghai
Terms of Payment	L/C, T/T
Update Time	Apr 30,2025

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1.2343 Flat Steel Bar | H11 Tool Steel | Premium Hot Work Steel | FUSHUN METAL

1.2343 Flat Steel Bar (H11 Tool Steel)

Product Description

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar (also known as H11 in AISI standard) is a premium chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot work tool steel offering an exceptional combination of high-temperature strength, excellent hot hardness, good toughness, and superior wear resistance. With a carefully engineered chemical composition featuring 5% chromium, this versatile flat bar product delivers outstanding resistance to thermal fatigue, thermal shock, and high-temperature wear while maintaining dimensional stability during heat treatment. Available in precision-milled finishes and tight dimensional tolerances, our 1.2343 flat steel bars are ideal for demanding applications in hot work tooling, die casting, forging dies, extrusion tooling, and other applications requiring excellent high-temperature performance. Unlike standard carbon tool steels, FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 flat bars provide superior performance at elevated temperatures up to 550°C (1020°F) and can be heat treated to hardness values between 38-54 HRC depending on application requirements. Each bar undergoes comprehensive quality control to ensure consistent properties, precise dimensions, and superior surface quality for reliable performance in the most demanding die and tooling applications.

Flat Bar Specifications

FUSHUN METAL offers 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar in a comprehensive range of specifications to meet diverse application requirements:

Available Dimensions

Thickness (mm)	Width (mm)	Standard Length (mm)
5 - 10	20 - 100	500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 6000
11 - 20	30 - 150	500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 6000
21 - 30	40 - 200	500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 6000
31 - 50	50 - 300	500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 6000
51 - 80	60 - 400	500, 1000, 2000, 3000
81 - 120	80 - 500	500, 1000, 2000

* Custom dimensions available upon request

Dimensional Tolerances

Dimension	Standard Tolerance	Precision Tolerance (Available on Request)
Thickness	±0.2 mm up to 20 mm ±0.3 mm up to 50 mm ±0.5 mm up to 80 mm ±0.8 mm up to 120 mm	±0.1 mm up to 20 mm ±0.15 mm up to 50 mm ±0.25 mm up to 80 mm ±0.4 mm up to 120 mm
Width	±0.3 mm up to 100 mm ±0.5 mm up to 200 mm ±0.8 mm up to 400 mm ±1.0 mm up to 500 mm	±0.15 mm up to 100 mm ±0.25 mm up to 200 mm ±0.4 mm up to 400 mm ±0.5 mm up to 500 mm
Length	+10 mm / 0 mm	+5 mm / 0 mm
Flatness	0.3% of width	0.15% of width
Straightness	0.3% of length	0.15% of length
Squareness	0.5° max	0.25° max

Surface Finishes

Hot Rolled: Standard industrial finish
Hot Rolled and Annealed: Stress relieved for better machinability
Hot Rolled, Annealed, and Pickled: Clean scale-free surface
Precision Ground: Four sides ground with precision tolerances
Fine Milled: High-quality surface finish with tight tolerances
Polished: Smoother finish for reduced post-processing requirements
Custom Finishes: Available upon request for specific applications

Supply Conditions

Annealed: Maximum softness for further machining (180-230 HB)
Pre-hardened: Hardened and tempered to 35-42 HRC for applications requiring moderate hardness
Fully Heat Treated: Hardened and tempered to 44-52 HRC for immediate use
Custom Heat Treatment: Available to meet specific hardness and toughness requirements

Packaging Options

Individual Plastic Wrapping: For protection against environmental contaminants
Wooden Crates: For secure shipping of multiple bars
Steel Strapped Bundles: For economical shipping of standard orders
VCI Paper Wrapping: For enhanced corrosion protection
Oil Coating: Available for additional corrosion protection
Custom Packaging: Available to meet specific handling and storage requirements

Applications

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar is specifically engineered for applications requiring an optimal combination of high-temperature strength, wear resistance, and toughness:

Die Casting Applications

Aluminum die casting dies and inserts
Zinc die casting tooling
Magnesium die casting components
Hot chamber die casting parts
Die casting core pins and ejector pins
Pressure die casting inserts
Die casting mold bases

Hot Forging Applications

Open die forging tools
Closed die forging dies
Hammer forging dies
Press forging tooling
Upset forging dies
Forging inserts and die blocks
Hot heading tools

Extrusion Applications

Aluminum extrusion dies
Brass extrusion tooling
Container liners for extrusion presses
Extrusion dummy blocks
Extrusion stems and mandrels
Extrusion press parts
Hot extrusion tooling components

Hot Stamping and Forming

Hot stamping dies for automotive parts
Hot forming tools for high-strength steel
Hot pressing dies
Piercing tools for hot operations
Hot shearing blades
Hot trimming tools
Hot punching dies

Plastic Molding Applications

Molds for thermosetting plastics
Plastic injection mold components
Plastic extrusion tooling
Core pins for high-temperature plastic molding
Compression molds for thermoset materials
Plastic blow molding components
Injection mold inserts for glass-filled polymers

Specialty Applications

Mandrels for seamless tube production
Hot shear blades
Industrial knife applications at elevated temperatures
Hot work punches and headers
Gripper dies
Thread rolling dies for high-temperature operation
Hot picker tools for glass industry

Chemical Composition

FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar features the following nominal composition per DIN 17350/EN ISO 4957 standards:

Element	Content (%)
Carbon (C)	0.36-0.42%
Silicon (Si)	0.90-1.20%
Manganese (Mn)	0.30-0.50%
Chromium (Cr)	4.80-5.50%
Molybdenum (Mo)	1.20-1.50%
Vanadium (V)	0.30-0.50%
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.030%
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.030%
Iron (Fe)	Balance

Key Element Functions

Carbon (0.36-0.42%): Provides hardness and strength while maintaining good toughness. The moderate carbon content offers a good balance between wear resistance and thermal shock resistance.
Chromium (4.80-5.50%): Significantly enhances hardenability, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. Forms stable carbides that maintain hardness at high operating temperatures.
Molybdenum (1.20-1.50%): Enhances hot hardness and prevents temper brittleness. Improves high-temperature strength and resistance to softening at elevated temperatures.
Vanadium (0.30-0.50%): Forms fine, hard carbides that provide resistance to wear and abrasion. Refines grain structure for improved toughness and contributes to secondary hardening during tempering.
Silicon (0.90-1.20%): Improves oxidation resistance and high-temperature strength. Contributes to overall toughness of the steel.
Manganese (0.30-0.50%): Enhances hardenability and contributes to strength.

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Our 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar offers an impressive combination of physical and mechanical properties that make it ideal for demanding hot work applications:

Physical Properties

Property	Units	Value
Density	g/cm³	7.80
Melting Range	°C	1400-1450
Thermal Conductivity (20°C)	W/m·K	25
Thermal Conductivity (500°C)	W/m·K	28
Specific Heat Capacity	J/kg·K	460
Electrical Resistivity	Ω·mm²/m	0.52
Modulus of Elasticity (20°C)	GPa	215
Modulus of Elasticity (500°C)	GPa	180
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-100°C)	10⁻⁶/K	11.0
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-400°C)	10⁻⁶/K	11.9
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-600°C)	10⁻⁶/K	12.5

Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)

Property	Value
Hardness	180-230 HB
Tensile Strength	650-750 MPa
Yield Strength	450-550 MPa
Elongation	15-20%
Reduction of Area	40-50%

Mechanical Properties (Hardened and Tempered to 45 HRC)

Property	Value
Hardness	45 HRC (450 HB)
Tensile Strength	1450-1550 MPa
Yield Strength	1200-1300 MPa
Elongation	9-12%
Reduction of Area	30-40%
Impact Strength (Charpy V-notch)	15-25 J

Mechanical Properties (Hardened and Tempered to 52 HRC)

Property	Value
Hardness	52 HRC (550 HB)
Tensile Strength	1800-1900 MPa
Yield Strength	1500-1600 MPa
Elongation	6-8%
Reduction of Area	15-25%
Impact Strength (Charpy V-notch)	8-12 J

Hot Hardness

1.2343 maintains good hardness at elevated temperatures, which is crucial for hot work applications:

Temperature (°C)	Hardness (HRC) when tempered to 44-46 HRC
20	45
200	44
300	43
400	41
500	38
550	35
600	30

Special Features of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar

Our 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar offers several distinctive advantages that set it apart from conventional tool steel products:

Superior Hot Work Performance

1.2343 provides exceptional performance in hot work applications:

Excellent Hot Hardness: Maintains hardness and strength at elevated temperatures up to 550°C (1020°F).
Thermal Fatigue Resistance: Outstanding resistance to heat checking and thermal cracking during repeated heating and cooling cycles.
Thermal Shock Resistance: Good resistance to cracking when subjected to rapid temperature changes.
Wear Resistance at High Temperatures: Maintains wear resistance during hot working operations due to stable chromium and vanadium carbides.
Oxidation Resistance: Good resistance to scaling and oxidation at elevated temperatures due to chromium content.
Structural Stability: Maintains dimensional stability during thermal cycling.

Balanced Mechanical Properties

1.2343 offers an excellent combination of properties for tool and die applications:

Excellent Toughness: Superior toughness compared to higher carbon hot work steels, reducing the risk of catastrophic die failure.
Good Wear Resistance: Abrasion resistance suitable for long production runs.
High Compressive Strength: Excellent resistance to plastic deformation under high loads.
Good Machinability: Easier to machine than higher alloy hot work steels, especially in the annealed condition.
Polishability: Can be polished to a high finish, important for die casting and plastic molding applications.
Weldability: Better weldability than many tool steels, allowing for repairs and modifications.

Heat Treatment Response

1.2343 offers predictable and favorable response to heat treatment:

Good Hardenability: Achieves through-hardening in sections up to 150mm.
Dimensional Stability: Exhibits minimal distortion during heat treatment when properly processed.
Wide Hardening Range: Can be hardened to various hardness levels (38-54 HRC) to optimize the balance between wear resistance and toughness for specific applications.
Double Tempering Response: Responds well to double or triple tempering for optimal property development.
Secondary Hardening: Exhibits secondary hardening effect during tempering around 500-550°C, contributing to hot hardness.
Predictable Size Change: Undergoes minimal and predictable dimensional changes during proper heat treatment.

Manufacturing Excellence

FUSHUN METAL employs specialized processes to ensure our 1.2343 flat bars deliver reliable performance in critical applications:

Premium Melting Processes: Vacuum degassed or electroslag remelted options available for enhanced cleanliness and performance in critical applications.
Precise Chemical Control: Tight control of alloying elements to ensure consistent heat treatment response and mechanical properties.
Controlled Forging: Optimized forging practices to ensure homogeneous microstructure.
Optimized Annealing: Precise annealing cycles to achieve uniform hardness and excellent machinability.
Stress Relieving: Proper stress relief treatments to minimize distortion during machining and subsequent heat treatment.
Precision Milling: Advanced milling capabilities to achieve tight dimensional tolerances and excellent surface finish.
Rigorous Inspection: Comprehensive non-destructive testing to ensure internal quality and surface integrity.

Heat Treatment Recommendations

For customers performing their own heat treatment of 1.2343 flat steel bar, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Stress Relieving

Heat slowly to 650-700°C (1200-1290°F)
Hold for minimum 2 hours per 25mm of thickness
Cool slowly in furnace to below 500°C (930°F), then air cool
Recommended before extensive machining to minimize distortion

Annealing

Heat slowly to 800-850°C (1470-1560°F)
Hold for 1-2 hours per 25mm of thickness
Cool slowly in furnace at a rate not exceeding 20°C (36°F) per hour to 600°C (1110°F)
Continue cooling in furnace or air
Resulting hardness: 180-230 HB

Hardening

Preheating: Step 1: 650-750°C (1200-1380°F)
Preheating: Step 2: 850-950°C (1560-1740°F)
Austenitizing: 1000-1050°C (1830-1920°F) for air hardening
Holding time: 15-30 minutes after thorough heating
Quenching: Air, pressurized gas, warm oil, or salt bath at 500-550°C (930-1020°F)
For complex shapes, martempering in salt bath is recommended to minimize distortion
Achievable hardness after quenching: 52-56 HRC

Tempering

Temper immediately after cooling to hand-warm temperature (50-70°C/120-160°F)
Tempering temperature selection based on desired final hardness:
- 550-600°C (1020-1110°F): 42-46 HRC (balanced wear resistance and toughness)
- 600-650°C (1110-1200°F): 38-42 HRC (maximum toughness, good for heavy duty applications)
- 500-550°C (930-1020°F): 46-50 HRC (increased wear resistance for less severe applications)
- 400-500°C (750-930°F): 50-54 HRC (maximum hardness, but reduced toughness)
Hold at temperature for minimum 2 hours
Double or triple tempering recommended (minimum two tempers)
Cool to room temperature between tempering cycles

Nitriding

For enhanced surface hardness and wear resistance, 1.2343 responds well to nitriding
Perform after final heat treatment and tempering at minimum 540°C (1000°F)
Gas nitriding: 500-520°C (930-970°F) for 10-30 hours
Plasma nitriding: 480-520°C (895-970°F) for 4-12 hours
Salt bath nitriding: 540-560°C (1000-1040°F) for 2-4 hours
Achievable surface hardness: 900-1100 HV (67-70 HRC)
Typical case depth: 0.1-0.3 mm

Quality Assurance and Testing

Every batch of FUSHUN METAL's 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our exacting quality standards:

Chemical Composition Analysis: Spectrographic testing to verify precise element content critical for performance.
Mechanical Property Testing: Hardness testing to confirm proper annealing or heat treatment.
Microstructural Examination: Metallographic analysis to verify proper structure, grain size, and carbide distribution.
Ultrasonic Testing: 100% ultrasonic inspection available to detect internal defects and ensure soundness.
Magnetic Particle Inspection: Available to detect surface or near-surface defects.
Dimensional Verification: Precision measurement to ensure tight dimensional tolerances.
Flatness Testing: Verification of flatness to ensure minimal warpage.
Heat Treatment Response Verification: Sample testing to confirm proper response to hardening and tempering.
Hardenability Testing: Jominy end-quench testing available upon request.
Inclusion Assessment: Evaluation of non-metallic inclusion content for critical applications.

Certifications Provided

Material Test Certificates according to EN 10204 3.1
Chemical composition analysis
Mechanical property test results
Dimensional inspection report
Heat treatment certification when applicable
Special property verifications available upon request
Certificate of conformity to ordered specifications
Ultrasonic testing reports when specified

International Standards Compliance

Our 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar complies with the following international standards:

Standard	Designation
DIN / EN	1.2343 / X38CrMoV5-1
AISI	H11
SAE	J438
JIS	SKD6
ASTM	A681
BS	BH11

Machining Recommendations

To achieve optimal results when machining 1.2343 flat steel bars, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:

Annealed Condition (180-230 HB)

Operation	Tool Material	Cutting Speed	Feed Rate	Depth of Cut	Coolant
Turning	Cemented Carbide P20-P30	120-150 m/min	0.2-0.4 mm/rev	2-5 mm	Yes
Turning	High Speed Steel	30-35 m/min	0.1-0.2 mm/rev	1-3 mm	Yes
Milling	Cemented Carbide P20-P40	100-130 m/min	0.1-0.25 mm/tooth	2-6 mm	Yes
Milling	High Speed Steel	25-30 m/min	0.05-0.2 mm/tooth	1-4 mm	Yes
Drilling	High Speed Steel	20-25 m/min	0.05-0.15 mm/rev	-	Yes
Drilling	Cemented Carbide	80-100 m/min	0.1-0.2 mm/rev	-	Yes
Grinding	Silicon Carbide Wheel	25-30 m/sec	-	0.005-0.05 mm	Yes

Hardened and Tempered Condition (42-48 HRC)

Operation	Tool Material	Cutting Speed	Feed Rate	Depth of Cut	Coolant
Turning	Cemented Carbide P10-P20	60-80 m/min	0.1-0.2 mm/rev	0.5-2 mm	Yes
Turning	Ceramics	150-200 m/min	0.1-0.2 mm/rev	0.5-1 mm	Optional
Milling	Cemented Carbide P10-P20	50-70 m/min	0.05-0.15 mm/tooth	0.5-2 mm	Yes
Drilling	Cemented Carbide	40-60 m/min	0.05-0.1 mm/rev	-	Yes
Grinding	Aluminum Oxide Wheel	25-30 m/sec	-	0.005-0.03 mm	Yes
EDM	Copper or Graphite Electrode	-	-	-	Dielectric Fluid

* These values are guidelines only; adjustments may be necessary based on specific equipment and conditions

Machining Tips

Use rigid setups with minimum overhang to minimize vibration and chatter.
Apply adequate cooling, especially when machining in hardened condition.
For complex geometries, consider machining in the annealed condition and then heat treating.
Use sharp tools and replace at regular intervals to maintain dimensional accuracy.
After EDM processing, remove the affected layer by grinding or polishing to ensure maximum tool performance.
After heavy machining, consider stress relieving to minimize distortion during final heat treatment.
When grinding hardened material, use gentle cutting conditions and adequate cooling to prevent rehardening of the surface.

Welding Recommendations

1.2343 can be welded with proper precautions and procedures:

Preheat: 250-400°C (480-750°F) depending on section thickness
Filler Material: Matching composition or AWS A5.14 ERNiCrFe-3
Process: TIG/GTAW preferred for highest quality; SAW, MMA/SMAW, or MIG/GMAW also suitable
Interpass Temperature: Maintain 250-400°C (480-750°F)
Post-weld Heat Treatment: Cool slowly to 100°C (212°F), then temper immediately at a temperature at least 25°C (45°F) below the previous tempering temperature
Hydrogen Control: Use low hydrogen processes and consumables; bake electrodes according to manufacturer recommendations
Joint Design: Use simple joint designs with adequate access; avoid sharp corners

Surface Treatments

1.2343 can be enhanced with various surface treatments for improved performance:

Nitriding: Excellent response to nitriding processes (gas, plasma, salt bath), achieving surface hardness up to 1100 HV
PVD Coating: Suitable for TiN, TiCN, TiAlN and other PVD coatings after proper heat treatment and surface preparation
CVD Coating: Suitable for some CVD processes, but high temperatures may require post-coating heat treatment
Hard Chrome Plating: Can be chrome plated for improved surface hardness and corrosion resistance
Oxidizing Treatment: Steam or chemical blackening for some corrosion protection
Duplex Treatments: Combinations such as nitriding plus PVD coating for superior surface performance

Comparative Advantages over Other Tool Steel Grades

Understanding how 1.2343/H11 flat steel bar compares to other grades helps in selecting the optimal material for your application:

Property	1.2343 (H11)	1.2344 (H13)	1.2367	1.2738	1.2379 (D2)
Hot Hardness	Very Good	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Good
Toughness	Excellent	Very Good	Very Good	Good	Moderate
Wear Resistance	Good	Good	Very Good	Moderate	Excellent
Thermal Fatigue Resistance	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Moderate	Poor
Machinability	Good	Good	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Polishability	Very Good	Very Good	Good	Very Good	Good
Highest Working Temperature	550°C	600°C	600°C	400°C	450°C
Typical Applications	General hot work, die casting, forging	Die casting (Al, Mg, Zn), extrusion	Heavy hot forging dies, high pressure die casting	Large plastic molds, structural components	Cold work tools, punches, high wear applications

Application-Specific Recommendations

FUSHUN METAL provides tailored recommendations for specific applications of 1.2343 flat steel bar:

Die Casting Applications

Recommended hardness: 44-48 HRC for aluminum, 42-46 HRC for zinc, 46-50 HRC for magnesium
Consider nitriding for enhanced surface durability and better release properties
For large dies, lower hardness range improves crack resistance
Polish in the direction of material flow to optimize release
For complex dies, stress relieve after rough machining before final heat treatment
Consider PVD coating for extended die life in high-pressure applications

Forging Die Applications

Recommended hardness: 40-45 HRC for heavy duty forging, 44-48 HRC for precision forging
Ensure adequate corner and fillet radii to minimize stress concentration
Consider preheating dies to 150-300°C (300-570°F) before use for increased thermal fatigue resistance
Design proper cooling channels for temperature control during operation
For complex dies, rough machine in the annealed condition, stress relieve, finish machine slightly oversized, heat treat, and finish to final dimensions
Regular inspection for heat checking recommended to prevent catastrophic failure

Extrusion Die Applications

Recommended hardness: 46-50 HRC for aluminum extrusion, 44-48 HRC for brass extrusion
Nitriding recommended for aluminum extrusion dies to improve surface hardness and reduce sticking
Highly polished die surfaces recommended for improved material flow
Ensure proper grain orientation in relation to anticipated stress direction
Consider PVD coating for extended die life in abrasive applications
Properly designed cooling systems essential for maintaining dimensional accuracy during operation

Customization Capabilities

FUSHUN METAL offers extensive customization options to meet your specific application requirements:

Custom Dimensions: Special sizes manufactured to exact specifications for your application.
Modified Chemical Composition: Slight adjustments to standard composition available to optimize specific properties.
Special Melting Routes: Vacuum degassed or electroslag remelted material available for critical applications requiring enhanced cleanliness.
Pre-Machining Services: Basic machining including cutting to length, face milling, drilling, and tapping available.
Heat Treatment Services: Custom heat treatment to achieve specific hardness and toughness combinations.
Surface Treatments: Nitriding, PVD coating, and other treatments available upon request.
Specialized Testing: Application-specific testing protocols available upon request.
Custom Packaging: Specialized packaging for long-term storage or export shipments.
Edge Preparation: Chamfering and deburring of edges for safe handling.
Technical Consultation: Expert metallurgical support for your specific application challenges.

Why Choose FUSHUN METAL for 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar

When you select FUSHUN METAL as your supplier for 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar, you partner with a leading manufacturer committed to excellence:

Tool Steel Expertise: Specialized experience in manufacturing premium tool steel products with optimal properties.
Advanced Production Facilities: State-of-the-art melting, forging, and processing equipment specifically optimized for tool steels.
Stringent Quality Control: Comprehensive testing and inspection protocols ensure consistent performance in demanding applications.
Metallurgical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of heat treatment and microstructural control of hot work tool steels.
Supply Chain Reliability: Robust inventory management and production planning to ensure consistent availability of critical materials.
Technical Support: Expert assistance in material selection, heat treatment guidance, and application support.
Global Capabilities: Worldwide shipping network with experience in international documentation and compliance.
Material Traceability: Complete documentation and batch traceability for quality assurance.
Continuous Improvement: Ongoing research and development in tool steel processing and performance.
Industry Compliance: Materials and processes that meet or exceed international standards for critical applications.
Competitive Pricing: Excellent value combined with superior quality and service.
Environmental Responsibility: Commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices and environmental management.

Request Information

Contact FUSHUN METAL today to discuss your 1.2343 Flat Steel Bar requirements. Our technical team is ready to assist you with:

Detailed product specifications
Technical consultations for your specific application
Heat treatment recommendations for optimal properties
Custom dimension and processing requirements
Pricing inquiries and delivery schedules
Sample requests for evaluation

FUSHUN METAL – Your trusted partner for premium hot work tool steel solutions that deliver consistent quality, superior performance, and reliability in the most demanding die and tooling applications.