P20


P20 steel is a pre-hardened, general-purpose plastic mould steel widely used in the manufacturing of plastic injection molds, die-casting dies, and other tooling components. It is known for its excellent machinability, polishability, and toughness, making it ideal for medium to large mold applications.
Supplied in the pre-hardened condition (usually around 28–32 HRC), P20 eliminates the need for post-machining heat treatment, reducing lead time and risk of dimensional distortion. Its balanced composition provides good wear resistance and moderate corrosion resistance, making it suitable for both clear and filled plastic molding.
Applications
Injection Moulds – Used for making plastic injection mould tools for medium to large production runs.
Compression Moulds – Suitable for molds used in compression molding processes.
Mould Bases and Frames – Ideal for base structures supporting complex mold cavities.
Die-Casting Dies – Commonly used for low-pressure zinc and aluminum die casting.
Prototype Moulds – Perfect for short-run or prototype mold applications due to ease of machining.
Blow Moulds – Applied in the blow molding of plastic containers and bottles.
Tool Holders and Fixtures – Used in jigs, fixtures, and tooling supports.
Plastic Housing Parts – Forms the mold for consumer electronics, appliance casings, etc.
Automotive Interior and Trim Moulds – Used in dashboards, panels, and trim plastic parts.
Medical and Packaging Moulds – Suitable for precision molds in hygiene-critical sectors.
Dealer
We are a leading supplier, stockist, and dealer of P20 Plastic Mould Steel, catering to toolmakers, mold manufacturers, and industrial engineers across India and international markets.
We offer P20 steel in round bars, flat bars, and blocks, cut to customer-specified sizes and delivered with mill test certificates and assured quality. Our material is sourced from reputed manufacturers to ensure consistent hardness, machinability, and performance for mold-making and tooling applications.
Hardness
Pre-Hardened Condition:
P20 is usually supplied in a pre-hardened state with hardness ranging between
28 – 32 HRC (Rockwell Hardness C).
After Heat Treatment (if applied):
If further hardened, P20 can reach up to 50 HRC, but this is less common as it’s typically used in its pre-hardened form to save time and avoid distortion.
Surface Hardening (Optional):
For increased wear resistance, nitriding or flame hardening may be applied to raise surface hardness to up to 60–65 HRC, while maintaining a tough core.
Equivalent Grades
- AISI / SAE (USA) P20
- DIN (Germany) 1.2311 (standard P20) 1.2312 (free machining variant with sulfur)
- JIS (Japan) SCM4
- BS (UK) 40CrMnMo7
- UNI (Italy) 40CrMnMo7
- AFNOR (France) 40CMD8
- GB (China) 3Cr2Mo
Heat Treatment
1. Annealing
Purpose: To soften the steel for easier machining or re-hardening.
Procedure:
Heat to 700–720°C
Hold until temperature is uniform
Cool slowly in the furnace
Resulting Hardness: ~180–220 HB
2. Hardening (Optional)
Purpose: To increase core hardness when required.
Procedure:
Heat to 850–870°C
Hold for sufficient time
Quench in oil or polymer
Resulting Hardness: Up to 50 HRC (not typically done for mold applications)
3. Tempering
Purpose: To relieve internal stresses and improve toughness after hardening.
Procedure:
Heat to 500–650°C
Hold based on section size
Cool in still air
Result: Achieves desired balance of hardness and toughness
4. Nitriding (Optional Surface Hardening)
Purpose: To enhance surface hardness and wear resistance.
Procedure:
Heat to 500–530°C in a nitriding environment
Surface Hardness Achieved: Up to 60–65 HRC
Core Hardness Remains: ~30 HRC
Heat Treatment
1. Annealing
Purpose: To soften the steel for easier machining or re-hardening.
Procedure:
Heat to 700–720°C
Hold until temperature is uniform
Cool slowly in the furnace
Resulting Hardness: ~180–220 HB
2. Hardening (Optional)
Purpose: To increase core hardness when required.
Procedure:
Heat to 850–870°C
Hold for sufficient time
Quench in oil or polymer
Resulting Hardness: Up to 50 HRC (not typically done for mold applications)
3. Tempering
Purpose: To relieve internal stresses and improve toughness after hardening.
Procedure:
Heat to 500–650°C
Hold based on section size
Cool in still air
Result: Achieves desired balance of hardness and toughness
4. Nitriding (Optional Surface Hardening)
Purpose: To enhance surface hardness and wear resistance.
Procedure:
Heat to 500–530°C in a nitriding environment
Surface Hardness Achieved: Up to 60–65 HRC
Core Hardness Remains: ~30 HRC
Hardening
1. Preheating:
Preheat the steel in two stages to reduce thermal shock:
First stage: 300–400°C
Second stage: 600–650°C
2. Austenitizing (Hardening Temperature):
Heat to 850–870°C uniformly.
Soak at temperature depending on section size (typically 30–60 minutes per 25 mm of thickness).
3. Quenching:
Quench in oil or polymer to cool the material quickly and form martensite.
Air cooling may be used for small sections to reduce distortion.
4. Tempering:
Temper immediately after quenching to relieve stresses and adjust hardness.
Typical tempering temperature: 500–650°C
Tempering reduces brittleness and improves toughness.
Resulting Hardness:
After hardening and tempering:
Core hardness can reach up to 50 HRC
But most users keep it between 28–32 HRC for mold durability and machinability.
Welding
Preheating:
Preheat to 250–350°C before welding
Helps reduce thermal shock and prevent cracking
Welding Method:
TIG (GTAW) or MIG (GMAW) welding is recommended
Use matching filler material (low-alloy steel electrode suitable for P20)
Interpass Temperature:
Maintain 300–350°C during welding to avoid hard zones and cold cracking
Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT):
After welding, perform stress relieving at 600–630°C for 2–4 hours
Air cool slowly to avoid distortion or internal stresses
Machining After Welding:
Welded areas may be harder than base metal; may require re-machining or grinding
Machinability
Easy to Cut:
Machines smoothly with standard high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide tools
Ideal for milling, turning, drilling, and grinding
Good Surface Finish:
Can achieve fine finishes and tight tolerances – essential for mold cavities
Low Tool Wear:
Pre-hardened state means longer tool life compared to harder tool steels
Excellent Polishing Capability:
Can be polished to a mirror finish for high-gloss plastic parts
Minimal Distortion:
Since it doesn’t require further hardening, dimensional accuracy is maintained after machining
Machinability
Easy to Cut:
Machines smoothly with standard high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide tools
Ideal for milling, turning, drilling, and grinding
Good Surface Finish:
Can achieve fine finishes and tight tolerances – essential for mold cavities
Low Tool Wear:
Pre-hardened state means longer tool life compared to harder tool steels
Excellent Polishing Capability:
Can be polished to a mirror finish for high-gloss plastic parts
Minimal Distortion:
Since it doesn’t require further hardening, dimensional accuracy is maintained after machining
Physical Properties
Property | Value |
---|---|
Density | ~7.85 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | ~1420–1460 °C |
Modulus of Elasticity | ~210 GPa |
Thermal Conductivity | ~25 W/m·K (at room temperature) |
Specific Heat Capacity | ~460 J/kg·K |
Hardness (Pre-hardened) | 28 – 32 HRC |
Electrical Resistivity | ~0.65 µΩ·m |
Chemical Properties
Property | Value |
---|---|
Wear Resistance | Moderate – suitable for plastic molding, not for heavy abrasion |
Toughness | Good toughness to resist cracking under cyclic stress |
Hardenability | Moderate – supplied pre-hardened for good machinability |
Corrosion Resistance | Low to moderate; may require surface protection |
Dimensional Stability | Good stability during heat treatment and use |
Polishability | Excellent, allowing for high-gloss mold surfaces |
Chemical Composition
Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage (%) | 0.28 – 0.35 | 1.40 – 1.60 | 0.60 – 0.80 | 0.80 – 1.10 | 0.80 – 1.20 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 |