Oct. 20, 2026
ASSAB 8407 is a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium hot-work tool steel used for tooling exposed to heat, pressure, and repeated thermal cycling. It is commonly compared with AISI H13, EN 1.2344, and JIS SKD61, but these designations should be treated as corresponding grade families rather than automatic proof of identical composition or performance. Buyers typically consider 8407 for die casting, hot forging, and extrusion tooling where a balance of hot strength, toughness, and resistance to thermal fatigue is important. At Mingchuan, we help buyers confirm the requested grade, product form, condition, and documentation before quotation.
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This guide is for procurement teams, toolmakers, engineers, and manufacturers evaluating ASSAB 8407 or a comparable hot-work steel. It is useful when specifying new tooling, reviewing a proposed equivalent grade, or preparing an RFQ for steel plates, blocks, or round bars. The information is intended for material selection and sourcing discussions, not as a substitute for the producer’s current datasheet or an application-specific engineering review.
ASSAB 8407 is a branded hot-work tool steel grade in the chromium-molybdenum-vanadium family. In hot-work service, a tool may face a combination of heat, compressive and impact loads, surface wear, and repeated heating and cooling. The alloy design is intended to provide a practical balance of strength at elevated temperature, hardenability, toughness, and resistance to heat checking, although actual results depend on the steel condition, tooling design, heat treatment, and operating practice.
8407 is often grouped with H13-type steels. Typical reference chemistry for H13-type material includes approximately 0.32–0.45 wt% carbon, 4.75–5.50 wt% chromium, and 1.10–1.75 wt% molybdenum. These ranges are general grade-family references, not a certificate of analysis for a particular ASSAB 8407 heat or other supplier’s product. For acceptance, use the applicable standard and the actual mill test certificate.
Hot-work steels such as 8407 are selected when tooling must retain useful strength while exposed to heat and repeated loading. Chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium contribute to the steel’s hardenability and response to heat treatment, while the balance of properties depends on the complete chemistry and processing route. No single property value should be assumed from the grade name alone, because supplied condition, section size, heat treatment, and testing method can affect reported results.
For a purchase specification, identify the required condition and test basis rather than requesting “8407” without further detail. Depending on the project, this may include delivery hardness, ultrasonic inspection, dimensional tolerances, surface condition, and the required certification or traceability. Confirm whether the supplier is quoting ASSAB-branded material or a separately produced equivalent grade.
| Designation | How Buyers Commonly Use It | Important Check |
|---|---|---|
| ASSAB 8407 | Branded hot-work tool steel designation | Confirm the exact product variant and producer documentation. |
| AISI H13 | Common North American comparison grade | Check the specified standard, chemistry, and supplied condition. |
| EN 1.2344 | Common European grade comparison | Verify the applicable EN specification and acceptance requirements. |
| JIS SKD61 | Common Japanese comparison grade | Do not assume identical limits or treatment based on the label alone. |
These grades are frequently discussed as equivalents because they occupy a similar hot-work tool steel category. However, equivalence in a catalog or quotation does not guarantee identical chemistry, cleanliness, processing, or performance in a specific tool. When substituting, compare the governing specification and evaluate whether the proposed material is suitable for the service conditions.
Typical application areas include dies and inserts for aluminum or other non-ferrous die casting, hot forging dies, extrusion tooling, and related hot-work components. The exact fit depends on factors such as contact temperature, cycle frequency, impact, cooling arrangement, workpiece alloy, and tool geometry. A die exposed to severe thermal cycling may require a different balance of toughness, surface performance, or maintenance strategy than a tool operating under another process.
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For die casting, buyers should consider thermal fatigue and the conditions at the working surface. For forging, impact loading and tool geometry can influence the required toughness and section size. In extrusion applications, pressure, temperature, and wear conditions should be reviewed together before choosing a grade or heat-treatment route.
Start with the application specification and any existing approved material list. If a project permits an equivalent, ask the supplier to identify the offered grade, its standard or technical basis, and the evidence available for comparing it with the requested material. Where the tooling is safety-critical, high value, or already qualified, obtain engineering approval before changing the grade or source.
There is no universal price for ASSAB 8407 because quotations depend on grade identity, product form, dimensions, quantity, supply condition, inspection requirements, and delivery destination. A large block with strict tolerances and additional testing may be quoted differently from a standard-size bar with routine documentation. For an accurate comparison, provide the same technical and commercial scope to each supplier.
MOQ and lead time are also order-specific. Stock availability can differ by size and location, while non-standard dimensions or processing requirements may affect the schedule. At Mingchuan, buyers can share a drawing or dimension list for a feasibility review and request confirmation of available supply options before placing an order.
A qualified supplier should be able to clarify what material is being offered and how it will be documented. Evaluate technical responsiveness alongside price, especially when your project requires a specific brand, standard, condition, or inspection level. Clear written confirmation helps reduce the risk of receiving a material that matches a shorthand grade name but not the project’s acceptance criteria.
ASSAB 8407 is a hot-work tool steel commonly considered for die casting, forging, extrusion, and other tooling applications involving heat and repeated mechanical loading. H13, 1.2344, and SKD61 are useful comparison designations, but they should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the applicable specification and the actual offered material. The best next step is to define the application, product dimensions, supply condition, inspection requirements, and whether a non-branded equivalent is acceptable.
Send Mingchuan your grade requirement, drawing or size list, quantity, destination, and documentation needs. We can review the sourcing scope, clarify available product options, and prepare a quotation for your evaluation. For demanding tooling applications, confirm any proposed material substitution and heat-treatment plan with your engineering team before release to production.
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