Premium & Industrial Tool Steel Solutions
Plastic moulding requires unique properties from the tool material. With the outstanding knowledge provided by our tool steel experts at BÖHLER and Uddeholm we are able to support you facing the challenges accross the entirety of the plastic moulding value chain. Every tool has its own specific requirements – especially when it comes to the highly differentiated processing of plastics. Depending on requirements, various classic tool steels and remelted or powder metallurgically produced high-performance materials are used. Our brands offer the plastics industry a range of tool steels, proven and tested in practice and customised for the respective application. These guarantee high tool life, maximum precision during processing and perfect quality of the plastic surfaces.
BÖHLER and Uddeholm plastic mould steels are used for tools and tool parts in numerous plastics processing methods, e.g. injection moulding and extrusion. Above all, we are the market leader in the most versatile, stainless material programme for the plastics processing industry.
Our materials meet the special requirements for mould materials in plastics processing, including, but not limited to:
- Supreme wear resistance, hardness when processing certain plastics (GRP) and at temperatures up to approx. 400°C
- High corrosion resistance when processing certain plastics (e.g. PVC) and under critical cooling conditions
- High mechanical strength and toughness (fracture resistance and resistance to plastic deformation)
- Tools almost always need to be cooled
- Partly very large dimensions
- High Polishability
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This group of steels is specially designed for use as corrosion-resistant tool steels in plastics processing when corrosion and wear resistance are of primary importance, as is the case, for example, when processing fibre-reinforced and heavily filled, aggressive plastics. Experience shows that corrosion-resistant tool steels with hardnesses of over 50 HRC are then required. Under particularly critical operating conditions, however, steels with a higher carbide content and hardnesses above 60 HRC are often essential.
Steels in this product group are usually selected hardenable, martensitic stainless steels with approx. 13 to 20 % Cr , alloyed with Mo , W and V and a C content of approx. 0.40 to over 2%.
In general, the production of these steels with regard to purity, homogeneity and analytical balance takes special account of the needs of plastics processing with regard to polishability and corrosion resistance, and high-purity steels are frequently produced by remelting processes, e.g. electroslag (ESR), or extremely homogeneous, high-alloy steels are produced by powder metallurgy.
A special category of hardenable corrosion resistant steels are High Nitrogen Steels (HNS). In such steels the high Carbon (C)- content present usually in steels of this group is reduced and part of the Carbon is replaced by Nitrogen(N). This results in a hardness of approx. 58 HRC together with the best corrosion resistance and optimum homogeneity and prevents the excessive bonding of Chromium in the form of carbides. Usually remelting of this steel takes place in the special Pressure Electroslag Remelting Process (PESR).
Related Products
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Corrax is a precipitation hardening steel with a unique set of properties that makes it perfect for many demanding applications. The superior resistance against corrosion combined with a hardness up to 50 HRC and a simple heat treatment makes Uddeholm Corrax the obvious choice for long run series of aggressive plastics such as PVC. The chemical composition makes Uddeholm Corrax easy to process by Additive Manufacturing. Hence, it is also available as powder for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD). Benefits Very good corrosion resistance Flexible hardness of 34-50 HRC achieved by ageing No hard “white layer” after EDM
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Mirrax ESR is a through hardening corrosion resistant steel with very good polishability. Mainly intended for medium to large cross sections. It has a unique combination of toughness, corrosion resistance and through hardening properties. Benefits Low mould maintenance costs: The surface of cavity impressions retain their original finish over extended running periods. Moulds stored or operated in humid conditions require less protection. Low production costs: Water cooling channels are less affected by corrosion Heat transfer characteristics, and therefore cooling efficiency, are constant throughout the mould life, ensuring consistent cycle times. Safe mould use because of good toughness also in big dimensions
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Stavax ESR is a premium stainless mould steel for small and medium inserts and cores. Uddeholm Stavax ESR combines corrosion and wear resistance with excellent polishability, good machinability and stability in hardening. Mould maintenance requirement is reduced by assuring that core and cavity surfaces retain their original finish over extended operating periods. When compared with non stainless mould steel, Uddeholm Stavax ESR offers lower production costs by maintaining rust free cooling channels, assuring consistent cooling and cycle time. This classic stainless tool steel is the right choice when rust in production is unacceptable and where requirements for good hygiene are high, as within the medical industry, optical industry and for other high quality transparent parts. Uddeholm Stavax ESR is a part of the Uddeholm Stainless Concept. Benefits Low mould maintenance because of corrosion resistance: Surfaces retain their original finish Less production during storing and operation in humid condition Lower production costs: Since water-cooling channels are unaffected by corrosion Heat transfer characteristics, and therefore cooling efficiency, are constant throughout the mould life, ensuring consistent cycle times. Long life mould Standard specification W.nr 1.2083 / AISI 420 / AFNOR Z40 CV 14 (RSL)
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Tyrax ESR combines best in class toughness, corrosion and wear resistance. This grade was developed for molding of high performance plastics often filled with glass fiber reinforcements and additives like flame retardants. This matrix- based microstructure is designed to achieve a high-gloss surface by only a few polishing steps, dramatically reducing the tool lead time and enabling production of top quality plastic parts. Uddeholm Tyrax ESR can achieve a high hardness (up to 58 HRC) and is a suitable upgrade from AISI 420 ESR, AISI S7 and AISI 440C. Benefits good dimensional stability at heat treatment and in service even microstructure and small grain size good hardenability Uddeholm Tyrax is also available for Additive Manufacturing, powder for processing Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD).
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Steels in this group are specially designed for use as tool steels in plastics processing.
Quenched and tempered steel is low-alloy stainless steel that achieves high tensile and fatigue strength combined with good toughness through quenching and tempering. In most cases, these steels are supplied by the steel supplier already pre-tempered and then used in this condition in tool production. By eliminating further heat treatment steps in the course of tool production, the cost-effectiveness and logistics in toolmaking can be significantly improved. The supplied hardness of approx. 30 to approx. 40 HRC is a good compromise between machinability, wear resistance and compressive strength (edge stability), which is sufficient for many applications in plastics processing. Higher tempering strengths are also used in special cases.
The carbon content is approximately between 0.3 and 0.4 %. The different alloy contents of chromium, manganese, molybdenum and nickel are very precisely matched to the respective application and have a particular influence on larger cross-sections. The weldability of these steels is limited. Coordinated sulphur contents are used on a case-by-case basis to improve machinability.
In the production of these steels, particular consideration is given to the requirements of plastics processing with regard to polishability and corrosion resistance in terms of purity, homogeneity and analysis balance.
Precipitation hardening steels in this group are special steels with alloying additions of Cu and Al, with excellent properties, in particular high toughness and good dimensional stability and good weldability. This group of steels achieves a martensitic microstructure with a higher Ni content combined with a low C content. Alloying elements such as Cu and Al are used to achieve hardenable alloy systems, whereby an increase in strength up to max. 44 HRC is achieved through the precipitation of intermetallic compounds from the martensite during heat treatment. The heat treatment of these steels is simple and minimises distortion and consists of a solution heat treatment with a final hardening treatment at temperatures in the region of approx. 500°C. Such steels are supplied pre-hardened or solution-annealed.
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- Plastic Mould
- AISI ~P20
- EN 40CrMnMoS8-6
- SEL 1.2312
BÖHLER M200 is a prehardened, non-corrosion-resistant chromium-manganese-molybdenum alloyed plastic mould steel with very good machinability and uniform strength over the entire cross-section of medium-sized dimensions.
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- Plastic Mould
- EN 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4
- SEL 1.2738
- EN ISO 4957
BÖHLER M238 is a prehardened, non-corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel with good machinability. The addition of Ni guarantees uniform strength across the entire cross-section, even with large dimensions (up to 600 mm).
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Orvar Supreme can be regarded as an “all-round” steel used in several application areas. Except for hot work application areas the steel is also used in moulds for plastics and as a material in high stressed axles. The high degree of purity and the very fine structure shows improvement in dies and components where high mechanical and thermal stresses are involved. Uddeholm Orvar Supreme is produced using the Electro-Slag-Refining (ESR) technique. The ESR process gives Uddeholm Orvar Supreme a high level of homogeneity and cleanliness which results in a high performance hot work tool steel of the highest quality. Benefits Improved tooling performance Uddeholm Orvar Supreme meets the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) #207 requirements for Superior high quality H-13 die steel. Standard specification W.nr 1.2344 / AISI H13 / AFNOR Z38 CDV 5.1
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Rigor is a medium alloyed tool steel with a good resistance to both the abrasive and adhesive types of wear as well as good resistance to cracking. This combination makes Uddeholm Rigor an all purpose tool steel for medium run cold work applications. Short tool making lead times Safe and consistent production Good tooling economy for short and medium run tooling Benefits Uddeholm Rigor is a tool steel offering good tooling economy for short and medium run tooling when the cost of making the tool is a significant portion of the total cost for producing the required number of parts Uddeholm Rigor is a medium alloyed cold work tool steel with a very good balance between tool performance properties and tool making properties Uddeholm Rigor has a good hardenability and can therefore be used for larger short and medium run tools In East/South East Asia countries served by Assab, Uddeholm Rigor is sold as XW-10. Standard specification W.nr 1.2363 / AISI A2 / AFNOR Z100 CDV5
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- Plastic Mould
Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra SuperClean is the most versatile pm tool steel on the market today, combining high wear resistance with very good ductility and resistance to chipping of edges. Excellent machinability in both soft and hard condition ensures advantages in both tool making and tool maintenance. Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra SuperClean is also available as powder for processing by Electron Beam Melting technology (EBM). This powder has the same chemical composition as the PM material. Benefits Reliable production with low risk of edge chipping Best combination of high hardness, wear resistance and chipping resistance High compressive strength Best stock standard program of all PM grades Standard specification AISI D2 / AFNOR de type Z136 CDV 5.4
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