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1.2363 Tool Steel

1.2363 tool steel suppliers and stockholders delivering to the whole of the UK. West Yorkshire Steel are suppliers of 1.2363 tool steel in round bar and cut rectangular block. It is an air hardening tool steel which, after heat treatment, offers a high abrasion resistance coupled with toughness. Due to its lower chromium content, the wear resistant properties of 1.2363 are not as great as those to be found in high carbon, high chromium steels such as 1.2080 and 1.2379 but it is much easier to machine than the latter qualities and can be ground to give a cutting edge which is less liable to crumble in service. Where tools of large mass are being produced this tool steel, being an air hardening quality, is more suitable than the oil or water hardening tool steels.

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Form of Supply

West Yorkshire Steel are suppliers of round and flat bar which can be sawn cut to your required sizes. Ground steel bar can be supplied, providing a high quality precision ground tool steel bar to tight tolerances.

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  • Flat
  • Diameter

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Applications

1.2363 tool steel has given goods results when used for cold forging dies, coining dies, cold heading dies, shear blades, wood, fibre and resin-bonded material, knurling tools and as cutting knives for paper.

Carbon 0.95-1.05% Chromium 4.80-5.50%
Manganese 0.40-0.80% Silicon 0.10-0.40%
Molybdenum 0.90-1.20% Phosphorous 0.03% max
Vanadium 0.15-0.35% Sulphur 0.03% max

Precision ground flat stock / gauge plate can be produced using 1.2363 tool steel. Subject to size suitability and availability pieces can be produced in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Standard and non-standard sizes are available.

Preheat the steel to 650-680°C before raising the temperature to 1050-1100°C and soak until the tool steel is uniformly heated. Initial hammer blows should be light due to the comparatively high hot strength of this steel, and the forging temperature must be maintained above 1000°C until the metal begins to yield. Final forging should not be done below 900°C. Slow cooling after forging is essential to avoid the possibility of cracking.

1.2363 is supplied in the annealed condition. Re-annealing will only be necessary if the toolmaker has forged the steel, or if a hardened tool has to be re-machined or re-hardened. Heat slowly to 850-870°C. After a minimum of about two hours at this temperature, the furnace temperature should be lowered to 730-750°C and held there for between four to six hours. Allow the steel to cool very slowly in the furnace to 600°C or below before removing the work to cool in air.

When heavy machining or grinding of 1.2363 tool steel has been carried out, it is advisable to stress relieve in order to minimise the danger of distortion or cracking during the subsequent heat treatment. To stress-relieve, heat the tools slowly to 670-700°C, soak for a minimum of two hours per 25mm of steel section and allow to cool down with the furnace. The tools can then be finish machined, leaving on an allowance for final grinding after hardening and tempering.

Pre-heat slowly to 790-820°C and thoroughly soak at this temperature. Continue heating to the hardening temperature of 950-980°C. Allow sufficient time for the components to become evenly heated through. Withdraw from the furnace and then either air cool or oil quench. The steel may be protected against scaling and decarburisation by heating in a reducing atmosphere furnace, heating in a neutral salt bath, or by pack hardening. Temper as soon as the tools are hand warm.

Temper with the least possible delay after hardening. Heat the steel slowly to the required tempering temperature. Soak for one hour per 25mm of section (one hour minimum) and allow to cool in air. Double tempering is recommended with the second temper being a repetition of the first.

Temperature [°C] 150 200 250 300 350 400
Hardness [HRc] 62-61 61-60 60-59 59-58 58-57 58-57

When grinding hardened 1.2363 tool steel select the correct grade of wheel in consultation with the grinding wheel manufacturer. Keep the grinding wheel in good condition by means of a suitable dressing tool. Wet grinding is preferable using a copious supply of coolant. If dry grinding is resorted to, us a very soft wheel.

Heat treatment temperatures, including rate of heating, cooling and soaking times will vary due to factors such as the shape and size of each steel component. Other considerations during the heat treatment process include the type of furnace, quenching medium and work piece transfer facilities. Please consult your heat treatment provider for full guidance on heat treatment of tool steels.

1.2363 tool steel is supplied in accordance with our ISO 9001:2015 registration.

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ISO 9001:2015 Registration