NU-DIE® XL
(Premium Quality AISI H13)
NuDie XL is a premium version of H13, manufactured to meet die casting industry premium specifications (NADCA 207-97, and others). NuDie XL provides enhanced transverse toughness compared to standard H13, for decreased risk of breakage or cracking failures related to material toughness. NuDie XL is specially refined to provide extremely clean steel, allowing it to be polished to a critical finish for injection molds. NuDie XL may be used in any application where H13 is currently used.
Typical Chemistry
Carbon 0.40%
Manganese 0.35%
Silicon 1.00%
Chromium 5.20%
Molybdenum 1.30%
Vanadium 0.95%
Sulfur <0.003 %
Typical Applications
Extrusion tooling Die casting dies
Bolsters Die inserts
Dummy Blocks Shot sleeves/Plungers
Mandrels Plastic Molds
Forging Dies Core Pins
Hot Upset Dies Ejector Pins
Hardening
Critical Temperature: 1560F

Preheat: 1100/1250F, equalize, 1450/1550F, equalize.

High Heat: 1825/1875F, hold 30/45 minutes at temperature.
Hardening from the high end of the range may provide improved resistance to softening, at a slight decrease in toughness (resistance to cracking).

Quench: Air, positive pressure vacuum, salt, or interrupted oil to 125/150F. NOTE: A minimum quench rate of about 25F per minute from 1800F down to about 1200F is recommended to achieve maximum impact toughness.

Temper: 1000/1200F, hold one hour per inch of thickness (2 hours minimum). Air cool to room temperature. Temper twice.
Typical Properties
Air cooled from 1850°F, double tempered as shown.
Tempering
Temperature °F
Hardness
HRC
CVN
Ft-lbs
1000 51-53 10
1050 49-51 10
1100 46-48 18
1125 40-42 18
1150 35-37 –
1200 28-32 –
Effect of Temperature on Impact Properties
Air cooled from 1850F, double tempered to original hardness indicated, tested at elevated temperature as shown.
Original RT
HRC		 Charpy V-Notch at (°F)
RT 500 1000 1050 1100
52 10 22 25 25 –
47 18 30 33 – 32
43 18 38 44 – 42
Surface Treatments
Because of its high tempering temperatures (>1000F), NuDie XL may be treated by most surface treating processes, including conventional and ion nitriding, titanium nitriding, and other coatings or treatments. Nitrided surface hardness will be about 60/65 HRC.

Annealing
Either process A or B is acceptable.
A. Heat to 1600F. Hold 2 hours at temperature. Cool slowly (25F per hour maximum) to 1200F, then air cool to room temperature.
or
B. Heat to 1600F. Hold 2 hours at temperature. Cool to 1400F. Hold 6 hours at temperature, then air cool to room temperature.
Typical annealed hardness - 192/235 BHN.

Stress Relieving
Annealed material: Heat uniformly to 1200/1250F, hold two hours at temperature, cool in still air to room temperature.
Hardened material: Heat uniformly to 25/50F below tempering temperature, hold two hours, cool in still air to room temperature.

Welding
Use H11 or other hot work tool steel filler material.
Annealed material: Preheat to 800/1000F. Maintain above 700F during welding. Reanneal, or temper 1400°F 6 hours.
Hardened material: Preheat to 800/1000F. Maintain above 700F during welding. Allow to cool to hand warm (150F) after welding. Retemper at 25/50F below original tempering temperature (1000F minimum).

Physical Properties
Modulus of Elasticity ..................................................................30 psi x 106
Density ...........................................................................................0.280 lb/in3
Thermal Conductivity ................................... 200F..............15 BTU/hr/ft/°F
                                        .....................................600F..............16 BTU/hr/ft/°F
Thermal Expansion
                           RT-200F......................................................6.1 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-400F......................................................6.4 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-800F......................................................6.8 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-1000F....................................................7.0 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-1200F....................................................7.3 x 10-6 in/in/°F
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