1.3243 High Speed Steel

Pre heat steel slowly and uniformly to 450°-500°C and equalise. Then increase more quickly to the forging temperature of 950°-1100°C and equalise prior to forging. Do not allow the forging temperature to drop below 950°C, if this occurs re heating will be necessary. Always cool the steel very slowly after forging.

Annealing 1.3243 is recommended after hot working and before re hardening. Heat the steel to 850°C at a rate of no more than 220°C per hour. Always hold at temperature for one hour per 25mm of thickness (with two hours being minimum). Furnace cool slowly. The annealed hardness achieved should be 260 Brinell or lower.

If tools produced from 1.3243  are heavily machined or ground it is recommended to stress relieve after machining and prior to hardening to minimise the possibility of distortion. To stress relieve heat the component to 600-700°C and soak well (approx 2 hours) Cool slowly in the furnace. The tools can be finish machined before heat treatment.

For best results harden the steel in a vacuum or atmosphere furnace, or in a properly rectified salt bath. Pre heat thoroughly in two steps to 450-500°C, then to 820-870°C, transfer to the high temperature salt bath or furnace. The exact hardening temperature to use for 1.3243 will depend on the type of work being treated, but in general components should be hardened from the range of 1050-1250°C.

Temper 1.3243 between 510-620°C. Triple tempering is recommended with a minimum of two hours at temperature per cycle. The component should be cooled in still air to room temperature between tempering treatments.