DIN 1.2344

DIN 1.2344 steel, is a versatile and widely used tool steel characterized by its excellent combination of high toughness and heat resistance. Here are the key characteristics and applications of 1.2344 steel:

Composition:

   - Carbon (C): 0.32-0.45%

   - Chromium (Cr): 4.75-5.50%

   - Molybdenum (Mo): 1.10-1.75%

   - Vanadium (V): 0.80-1.20%

   - Silicon (Si): 0.80-1.20%

   - Manganese (Mn): 0.20-0.50%

   - Other elements (including small amounts of sulfur and phosphorus)

Properties:

   - High hardness: 2344steel can be hardened to a high degree, typically achieving a hardness of around 50-55 HRC after heat treatment.

   - Excellent toughness: It exhibits good toughness, resisting cracking and chipping under high-stress conditions.

   - Good heat resistance: 2344steel maintains its hardness and strength at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for high-temperature applications such as hot forging and die casting.

   - Wear resistance: Offers good wear resistance, though not as high as some other tool steels like D2 or A2.

Applications:

   - Hot work applications: Primarily used for hot forging dies, hot extrusion dies, die casting dies, and other applications where high temperatures and thermal cycling are involved.

   - Tooling: Used for making inserts, cores, and cavities for die casting dies, as well as molds for plastics and metal casting.

   - Industrial applications: Found in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing for tooling applications that require high toughness and heat resistance.

Heat Treatment: 

2344 steel is typically hardened by heating to around 1020-1050°C (1870-1920°F) followed by oil quenching. Tempering is then performed to achieve the desired hardness and toughness.

Machinability: 

Machinability of 2344 steel is good in the annealed condition. After heat treatment, it becomes more challenging due to its high hardness.

Overall,  1.2344 steel is widely regarded for its toughness, heat resistance, and versatility, making it a preferred choice in various industrial applications where tools and dies are subjected to high temperatures and mechanical stresses.