Improved wear and hot melting loss resistance of a vanadium carbide layer prepared on H13 steel

•The vanadiumizing layer were prepared by pack cementation method on H13 steel.•The vanadiumizing layer has the lower friction coefficient and less wear rate.•The vanadiumizing layer has excellent hot melt loss resistance in static molten aluminum. To improve surface properties of H13 steel and provide guidance for extending service life. Method: tantalizing, niobizing and vanadizing layers were prepared on H13 steel using pack cementation method under 940 °C, 7 h condition. The wear and hot melting loss resistance of the layers was evaluated. Conclusion Compared with normal treated H13 steel, the wear resistance is increased by nearly 6 times, and hot melt loss resistance is improved many times. The vanadizing layer can effectively improve the wear and hot melt resistance of H13 steel, which is perspective to prolong the service life.