Tool steel for die casting has to survive thousands of heating-and-cooling cycles in direct contact with molten aluminium, zinc or magnesium without cracking, wearing or losing hardness. Purohit Steel stocks the H11, H13 and H21 hot-work tool steel grades used across Indian die-casting tool rooms, along with dedicated guides for both major die-casting processes.
This page is a short overview and router — for the full technical detail on each casting process, see our dedicated Steel for Gravity Die Casting and Steel for Pressure Die Casting pages.
Table of Contents
- 1. Gravity vs Pressure Die Casting
- 2. Why Die Casting Needs Hot-Work Tool Steel
- 3. Which Grade Should You Choose
- 4. Explore by Process
- 5. Why Purohit Steel for Die Casting Tool Steel
- 6. Applications & Industries
- 7. Related Products
- 8. Authorized Stockist Brands
- 9. Cities We Supply in India
- 10. Our Services
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions
- 12. About Purohit Steel
- Our Certifications
- Countries We Export Worldwide
- Export Packaging & Shipping
- Quality Inspection & Testing
- Latest Price List
- MOQ & Payment Terms
- People Also Search For
Gravity vs Pressure Die Casting — What's Different
Both processes cast molten non-ferrous metal (typically aluminium) into a reusable steel die, but the way the metal enters the die changes the thermal and mechanical load on the tool steel:
- Gravity die casting: Molten metal is poured into the die and fills it under gravity alone, at relatively low velocity. Fill time is longer, so the die surface spends more time in contact with hot metal per cycle, favouring grades with strong sustained hot strength.
- Pressure die casting: Molten metal is injected into the die at high speed and pressure. Fill time is very short but the impact and rapid quench-reheat of each shot creates sharper thermal shock, favouring grades with strong thermal fatigue and toughness at the die surface.
In practice, the same H11 / H13 / H21 family of chromium hot-work tool steels serves both processes; the difference is mainly in die design, cooling channel layout and heat-treatment target hardness rather than a completely different steel chemistry. For full detail on each process, see Steel for Gravity Die Casting and Steel for Pressure Die Casting.
Why Die Casting Needs Hot-Work Tool Steel
Die-casting dies operate at the intersection of high temperature, repeated thermal cycling and contact with fast-moving or pressurised molten metal — conditions that base plastic-mould steels such as 1.2311 are not built for. Hot-work tool steel is alloyed specifically to hold hardness and resist cracking under these conditions:
- Thermal fatigue (heat-checking) resistance: Repeated heating on each shot and cooling between shots creates surface cracks over time if the steel cannot absorb that cyclic stress.
- Hot hardness / red hardness: The die surface must retain useful hardness while in direct contact with molten metal at several hundred degrees Celsius.
- Toughness: Impact from high-velocity metal injection (especially in pressure die casting) and mechanical stress from ejection require a tough, crack-resistant core.
- Dimensional stability through heat treatment: Large dies need to harden and temper predictably without excessive distortion.
Which Grade Should You Choose
| Grade | Cooling / Quench Tolerance | Toughness | Hot Strength | Best Fit in Die Casting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H13 / 1.2344 | Excellent, most forgiving of the three | Very good, industry standard | Good up to ~600-650°C | Default choice for most aluminium die casting dies |
| H11 / 1.2343 ESR | Good, deep hardening | Very good | Good up to ~600-650°C | Close alternative to H13, strong toughness for large or complex dies |
| H21 | Sensitive — requires careful, slower cooling | Good, lower than Cr-Mo-V grades at equal hardness | Excellent, best for sustained service above 650°C | Inserts and areas of a die exposed to sustained higher temperature |
H13 remains the default recommendation for the large majority of aluminium die casting work because of its forgiving heat treatment and proven track record; H11 and H21 are selected for specific toughness or red-hardness requirements. Confirm final selection against the detailed data on each grade page.
Explore by Process
Why Purohit Steel for Die Casting Tool Steel
- Ready Stock: H11, H13 and H21 held in round bar, flat bar and block sizes for immediate dispatch
- ISO-Certified Quality: Documented quality management since 1965
- Authorized Stockist: Sourced through globally reputed manufacturers, including NLMK Verona and SeAH CSS
- Value-Added Machining: In-house bandsaw cutting, precision machining, grinding, drilling, gun drilling, EDM and wire-cut
- Technical Support: Grade-selection and heat-treatment guidance for die-casting tooling
- Pan-India & Export Supply: Warehousing in Vasai with a sales outlet in Mumbai
Applications & Industries
- Aluminium gravity die-casting dies and moulds
- Aluminium, zinc and magnesium pressure die-casting dies
- Die-casting die inserts and cores
- Automotive engine, gearbox and housing casting dies
- Industrial and consumer product die-casting tooling
Industries We Serve
- Automotive industry
- Aluminium die-casting industry
- Industrial manufacturing
- Tool & die industry
- Heavy machinery industry
Authorized Stockist
Die Casting Tool Steel Supply Locations Across India
We supply H11, H13 and H21 die-casting tool steel across major industrial cities including Mumbai, Pune, Khopoli, Nashik, Aurangabad, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Umbergaon, Vapi, Valsad, Daman, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gurgaon, Manesar and Sonipat — as well as to export markets.
Our Steel Products
Our Services
Frequently Asked Questions
About Purohit Steel
Purohit Steel was established in 1965 by Shree Bherumalji Rajpurohit, a visionary in metallurgy. Over the decades, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted stockist and exporter of tool steel, plastic mould steel and engineering steel products across India.
As an ISO-certified company, we source premium materials from globally reputed manufacturers and operate a modern warehousing facility in Vasai along with a sales outlet in Mumbai, enabling efficient storage, fast processing and timely delivery across India and export markets.
Read more about Purohit Steel, view our certifications, or get in touch with our technical sales team.
Our Certifications
Purohit Steel operates as an ISO-certified company, backed by documented quality management, safety and compliance certifications that support reliable supply to domestic and export customers.
View all certificates in detail on our Certifications page.
Countries We Export Worldwide
Beyond India, Purohit Steel exports tool & mould steel grades to customers across the following countries and regions:
| Export Destinations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Saudi Arabia | Oman | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Nepal |
| Vietnam | Thailand | Indonesia | Kenya | Nigeria | South Africa |
For export enquiries and destination-specific documentation, please contact our sales team.
Export Packaging & Shipping
Bars, flats and blocks are packed to withstand handling, transit and marine shipment, whether for domestic dispatch or export orders.
- Palletised and strapped packing for round bars, flat bars and blocks
- Moisture-protected wrapping to prevent surface corrosion in transit
- Seaworthy export packing with clear shipping marks and material identification
- Documentation support including packing lists, invoices and mill test certificates for customs clearance
- Shipment by road, rail or sea freight as per order requirement and destination
Quality Inspection & Testing
Every batch held in our stock is checked through documented inspection procedures before dispatch, so mould makers and OEMs receive material with verified, traceable quality.
- Chemical composition verification against mill certificates
- Hardness testing (Brinell / Rockwell) on received stock
- Dimensional inspection as per standard bar and block tolerances
- Visual and surface defect inspection
- EN 10204 2.2 / 3.1 mill test certificates provided on request
- Third-party inspection coordination available for export orders
Full material traceability is maintained from incoming stock through to dispatch for every order.
Latest Price List
Pricing depends on section size, quantity, form (round bar / flat bar / block) and current raw material rates. Indicative guidance is below — contact us for a firm, up-to-date quotation.
| Form | Typical Price Basis |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Per Kg, based on diameter & length — contact for latest rate |
| Flat Bar / Plate | Per Kg, based on thickness & size — contact for latest rate |
| Block (cut to size) | Per Kg / Per Piece, based on drawing — contact for latest rate |
Prices are subject to change with raw material and freight costs. Share your required size and quantity via the quotation form or WhatsApp for the latest price.
MOQ & Payment Terms
Minimum Order Quantity: Flexible MOQ depending on size and form — from small trial quantities for tooling houses up to bulk orders for OEMs, subject to confirmation at enquiry stage.
Payment Terms: Advance payment / part-advance with balance before dispatch for domestic orders; T/T (bank transfer) or Letter of Credit (LC) for export orders, depending on order value and destination.