CRUCIBLE 161
Similar to High Carbon H13
Crucible 161 is a high carbon modification of H13, intended for applications requiring higher hardness, compressive strength, wear resistance, or tempering resistance (hot hardness), at slightly lower toughness. It offers very good peening resistance and polishability.
Typical Chemistry
Carbon 0.50%
Manganese 0.40%
Silicon 1.00%
Chromium 5.00%
Molybdenum 1.60%
Vanadium 1.10%
Typical Applications
Plastic Injection Molds Shear Blades
Knives Forging Dies
Die Inserts Hot Upset Dies
Piercing Punches Extrusion Tooling
Hardening

Preheat: 1100/1250F, equalize, 1450/1500, equalize.

High Heat: 1800/1900F, hold 15/45 minutes at temperature.

Quench: Air, positive pressure vacuum to 150F.

Temper: 1000/1200F, hold 2 hours, air cool to room temperature. Temper twice.
Typical Hardness
Air cooled from 1850°F, double tempered as shown.
Tempering
Temperature °F		 Hardness HRC
(1900F)
(1800F)
1000 56.5 55.6
1050 52.5 52.5
1100 48.5 48.5
1150 44.5 44.5
1200 32.5 32.5
Surface Treatments
Because of its high tempering temperature (>1000F), Crucible 161 may be treated by most surface treatment processes. Nitrided surfaces will typically be 60/70 HRC.

Annealing
Heat to 1625F, hold two hours, cool slowly (50F/hr maximum) to 1200F, then air cool.
Typical Annealed Hardness: 197/229 BHN

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

Welding
Use hot work tool steel filler material, similar to H13.
Annealed Material: Preheat to 800/1000F. Maintain above 800F during welding. Reanneal or temper 1400F 6 hours.
Hardened Material: Preheat to 800/1000F. Maintain above 800F during welding. Cool to 150F after welding. Temper 25/50F below original tempering temperature.

Physical Properties
Modulus of Elasticity ..................................................................30 psi x 106
Density ............................................................................................0.281 lb/in3
Thermal Conductivity ........................ (200F)....................14.5 BTU/hr/ft/°F
Thermal Expansion
                           RT-400F......................................................6.4 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-800F......................................................6.8 x 10-6 in/in/°F
                           RT-1200F....................................................7.3 x 10-6 in/in/°F
Return to top of page