Category Archives: Plastic mould steel

When we talk to  choosing the right steel for mould making, the most important is consider the precision and performance . Two popular options of mould steel are 1.2311 and 1.2738 steel. In this article, we’ll  analyzes from the chemical composition, physical properties and mechanical properties,  price, and applications of these two steels , hope to help you make an informed decision.

Chemical Composition 1.2311 VS 1.2738 steel:

1.2311 and 1.2738 steel belong to the category of plastic mould steels and exhibit different chemical compositions that influence their properties.

1.2311 steel, equivalent ASTM P20 steel.In contrast, 1.2738 steel, often referred to as P20+Ni steel, it easlier to find 1.2738 add 0.90%-1.20%  Nickel  base on 1.2311 , it means 1.2738 have a better strength than 1.2311.

Physical Properties 1.2311 VS 1.2738 steel :

Both steels have excellent machinability and polishability, therefore , both  1.2311 and 1.2738 steel are all suitable for mould making.

The little difference is the hardness between them. 1.2311 and 1.2738 steel both are pre-harden steel , but 1.2311 hardness is 28-34HRC , 1.2738 is 30-36HRC.

Mechanical Properties 1.2311 VS 1.2738 steel :

1.2311:

• Tensile Strength: 1050-1200 MPa.
• Yield Strength: 950-1100 MPa.
• Elongation: 15-20%.

1.2738:

• Tensile Strength: 1000-1150 MPa.
• Yield Strength: 900-1050 MPa.
• Elongation: 15-20%.

In summary, both 1.2311 and 1.2738 steel grades have similar tensile and yield strength along with comparable elongation properties, the key difference is their hardness, toughness, and impact resistance. 1.2311 steel offers good wear resistance and dimensional stability with slightly lower hardness, while 1.2738 steel provides improved toughness and impact resistance due to the addition of nickel, making it suitable for applications requiring enhanced mechanical properties under high-stress conditions.

Price compare :

Considering  prices, 1.2311 steel is generally more cost-effective than 1.2738 steel due to differences in their chemical compositions . However, the overall cost may vary depending on factors such as market demand and supplier pricing.

Applications :

1.2311 Steel:

• Widely used for low to medium-volume production of plastic molds, particularly for injection molding applications.
• Suitable for making prototypes and master models due to its good machinability and polishability.
• Often employed in industries such as automotive, consumer goods, and electronics for producing various plastic components and parts.
• Ideal for applications where moderate mechanical strength and wear resistance are required, making it a cost-effective choice for molding applications with lower stress and impact requirements.

1.2738 Steel:

• Preferred for applications requiring higher toughness and impact resistance, especially in large-sized injection molds and tooling for automotive components.
• Well-suited for molds subjected to high-stress conditions and impact loads, such as those encountered in automotive and aerospace industries.
• Due to its enhanced toughness and resistance to deformation under high-stress conditions, 1.2738 steel is commonly used in applications where reliability and durability are paramount.
• Offers superior performance in applications where the mold is subjected to frequent loading and unloading, as well as in situations where molds need to withstand abrasive wear and prolonged use.

In summary, both 1.2311 and 1.2738 steel grades have their respective applications in mold making, the key difference lies in the specific requirements of the application. 1.2311 steel is suitable for low to medium-volume production with moderate mechanical strength requirements, whereas 1.2738 steel is preferred for applications demanding higher toughness and impact resistance, particularly in large-sized molds subjected to high-stress conditions.

Conclusion:

In summary, both 1.2311 and 1.2738 steels offer excellent properties for mould making applications, with slight differences in their chemical compositions, hardness levels, and prices. The choice between the two ultimately depends on specific project requirements, budget considerations, and desired performance characteristics.

Otai special steel stock compelete size of 1.2311, 1.2738 steel, if there is any interest ,please contact below information to get the stock list.

Name: Joann

E-mail:joann@otaisteel.com

WhatsApp:+8613128068365

This week, I had a customer inquire with us about several mould steel NAK80, S136 and P20. We knew that these steels would be used in plastic molds, and he wanted to compare the prices of these materials. This article analyzes the differences between the above materials and helps customers choose the most suitable material.

Description of mould steel S136,NAK80 and P20:

S136 steel is chromium-nickel-molybdenum-vanadium alloy steel. As a high-quality plastic mold steel, S136 is widely used in injection molds, extrusion molds, blow molds and other fields. This mold steel has excellent corrosion resistance, polishability, wear resistance, and machinability, making it an ideal choice for manufacturing high-quality, high-precision plastic products.
NAK80 steel  is a kind of pre-hardened plastic mold steel, it is from Japan ,Daido . NAK80 steel generally used for mirror polishing molds, dustproof, TV filter plates, cosmetic boxes, precision wrinkle treatment molds, office automation equipment, auto parts electrical discharge processing molds, etc.
P20 steel  is an American standard pre-harden plastic mold steel. Widely used in China, factory hardness HRC30~42, suitable for large and medium-sized precision molds, suitable for long-term production of high-quality plastic molds, and used for large mold bases. This steel has good machinability and can be generally polished.

Chemical composition difference

Characteristic between mould steel S136 , NAK80 and P20

S136 mold steel

1. Corrosion resistance: It has excellent corrosion resistance and apply  in humid environments for a long time without rusting.
2. High hardness: It has high hardness and can maintain good hardness and wear resistance at high temperatures.
3. Excellent cutting performance: It has good cutting performance and is easy to process and manufacture.
4. Good heat treatment performance: It has good heat treatment performance and can obtain the required hardness and strength through heat treatment.
5.  Excellent wear resistance: It has excellent wear resistance and can maintain good surface finish and dimensional accuracy during long-term use.

NAK80 steel

1.  High hardness: NAK80 mold steel is pre-hardened steel, and its hardness can reach 37-43HRC before leaving the factory.
2.  Excellent polishing performance: very suitable for molds with high surface requirements, such as optical devices or injection molded parts
3. Ease of processing: NAK80 has very good processing performance, is easy to cut, mill and drill, and can meet the requirements of mold processing.
4. Good thermal stability: NAK80 can still maintain stable performance in high-temperature working environments. It has a low thermal expansion coefficient and excellent thermal conductivity, and can effectively resist plastic mold deformation and thermal stress caused by high temperatures.

P20 steel

1. Hardness: Factory pre-hardened, hardness 29-33HRC. Uniform hardness, good polishing performance and photo-etching performance, and good processing performance
2. It has excellent cutting performance and wear resistance, and can withstand high pressure and impact. Suitable for long term mold use.
3. P20 mold steel also has high strength and toughness and can withstand long-term mold work.
4. It has good heat resistance and corrosion resistance, making it the first choice material for plastic injection molds.

Application between mould steel S136 , NAK80 and P20

NAK80  Steel application :

Mould steel NAK80 widely used in plastic injection molds, die-casting molds and precision molds also in industries such as auto parts, home appliances, electronic products, and medical devices.

It is suitable for flat panel displays, cameras, audio equipment, transparent covers, films and other shell molds with mirror polishing requirements.

S136 steel application

S 136 is suitable for plastic molds with high corrosion resistance and mirror polish requirements.

Therefore  the highly smooth surfaces of S136 steel for the production of optical products, such as cameras, sunglasses, chemical instruments and plastic products;

P20 Steel application

• P20 is suitable for plastic molds and mold bases such as TV front casings, telephones, water dispensers, vacuum cleaners, etc.
• Thermoplastic plastic injection molds, extrusion molds.
• Thermoplastic blow molds. Heavy duty mold main components.
• Cold structural parts.
• Commonly used in manufacturing TV casings, washing machines, refrigerator inner casings, buckets, etc.

The difference of price between mould steel S136 , NAK80 and P20

P20 ＜ S136 ＜ NAK80

In conclusion

S136 , NAK80  and P20 are all good material widely used for steel mould.

But there are some application  differences.

• If you need a mold with good polishability and relatively high requirements, you can choose NAK80 steel.
• If you want to produce injection molds or extrusion molds with certain corrosion resistance but also have certain surface requirements, you can choose S136 steel.
• If you have a budget Limited, if the surface requirements are not high, you can choose the more cost-effective P20 steel.

Otai special steel stock more than 1500tons for S136 , NAK80  and P20 steel. If you want to get the stock list and the price details , please contact below information:

Name: Joann

E-mail:joann@otaisteel.com

WhatsApp:+8613128068365

1.2085 steel, also known as 420FM stainless steel, is a high-carbon stainless steel.It offers a good hardness, corrosion resistance, and affordability. In this artical, we will explore the performance and applications of 1.2085 .

Chemical Composition

Performance of 1.2085 steel

Hardness and Wear Resistance

One of the key characteristics of 1.2085 is its excellent hardness. It harden through heat treatment processes, making it suitable for applications that require a sharp cutting edge or resistance to wear. This property makes 1.2085 steel a popular choice for knife blades and cutting tools.

Corrosion Resistance

While not as corrosion-resistant as some other stainless steels like 304 or 316, 1.2085 still offers good resistance to corrosion, especially in environments with low to moderate levels of moisture and exposure to corrosive elements. Proper maintenance and care can help enhance its longevity in corrosive conditions.

Toughness

1.2085  exhibits good toughness, which is important for applications where the material may be subjected to impact or sudden loads. This quality ensures that the steel can withstand moderate levels of stress without fracturing or chipping.

Long-lasting cutting edge performance

Due to its higher carbon content, its hardness properties are better. In this way , when 1.2085 use in cutting steel, the sharpness of the cutting edge can be maintained for a long time, which makes it less frequent and more environmentally friendly.

Applications of 1.2085 Steel

Knife making

1.2085  is most commonly used in tool production. Its higher hardness, better corrosion resistance and edge retention ability make it outstanding in tool production. Particularly used as kitchen knives and outdoor tools, 1.2085  provides reliable performance.

Cutting tools

1.2085  can also used to make cutting tools such as blades, scissors, and saws. Its hardness and wear resistance make it ideal for tools that are subject to constant wear and tear

Surgical Instruments

In the medical field, 1.2085  utilize for surgical instruments. Its ability to  sterilize, along with its hardness and corrosion resistance, make it an appropriate material for tools used in surgical procedures.

Industrial Applications

Beyond the mentioned applications, 1.2085 finds use in various industrial settings where a combination of hardness and corrosion resistance is required. This can include components for machinery, valves, and other mechanical parts.

Conclusion

1.2085 steel, the combination of its properties of hardness, corrosion resistance, and affordability, finds wide-ranging applications in industries such as cutlery, toolmaking, and medical instruments. Its performance characteristics make it a good choice for various applications.

FAQs

1. Is 1.2085  suitable for outdoor knives?

Yes, 1.2085  is a popular choice for outdoor knives due to its hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention.

2. How should I maintain 1.2085 steel tools to ensure longevity?

Regular cleaning and proper storage in a dry environment can help prolong the life of 1.2085 steel tools.

3. Can 1.2085  be heat treated at home?

While it is possible to heat treat 1.2085  at home, it recommend to consult a professional for best results.

4. What industries commonly use 1.2085 steel in their applications?

1.2085  commonly use in industries such as cutlery manufacturing, toolmaking, and medical instrument production.

5. Is 1.2085 steel magnetic?

Yes, 1.2085  is magnetic, as it belongs to the martensitic stainless steel family which is generally magnetic in nature.

Want to know more about the details ?

Pls contact : Joann

E-mail:joann@otaisteel.com

WhatsApp:+8613128068365