The outstanding properties of 1.2344 (H13) make it suitable for a wide range of hot work and cold work applications where a combination of toughness and wear resistance is paramount. 

Primary Hot Work Applications 

• Die Casting: It is extensively used for creating dies, inserts, cores, and ejector pins for aluminum, zinc, and magnesium die casting. Its resistance to thermal fatigue and erosion from molten metal is critical. 
• Extrusion: 1.2344 is the standard material for extrusion dies, backers, and dummy blocks used in the extrusion of aluminum and other non-ferrous alloys. 
• Hot Forging: Used for forging dies, press dies, and punches, where it must withstand high temperatures and repeated impact forces. 
• Plastic Molding: For injection molds and compression molds that require high polishability, wear resistance, and durability, especially when processing abrasive or reinforced plastics. 

Other Industrial Uses 

• Hot Shear Blades: Its ability to retain a sharp cutting edge at high temperatures makes it suitable for shearing hot metal bars and sheets. 
• Mandrels and Piercing Tools: Used in seamless tube manufacturing and other hot piercing operations. 
• Cold Work Applications: While primarily a hot work steel, its high toughness allows it to be used in select cold work applications, such as heavy-duty stamping dies, cold heading tools, and certain types of punches where resistance to chipping is a primary concern. 

Industries that rely heavily on 1.2344 tool steel include automotive manufacturing, aerospace, heavy machinery production, and consumer electronics.