Through-hardenability and edge stability are achieved by alloying with Chromium, Manganese and Molybdenum. Steels with Nickel, Copper and Aluminium are age-hardenable and show favorable dimensional stability and weldability. These steels are usually supplied in the as heat-treated condition to approx. 30 to 44 HRC. Omission of further heat treatments improves cost-effectiveness and logistics in toolmaking.
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.
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.
Read MoreBÖHLER 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).
Read MoreBÖHLER M238HH corresponds to BÖHLER M238 in High-Hard product variant. A variation in the heat treatment enables significantly higher wear resistance and edge-stability for improved tool life.
Read MoreBÖHLER M261 is a precipitation-hardenable steel for plastic molds that exhibits very good machinability in the as-delivered condition – solution-annealed and aged. Compared to 1.2312, BÖHLER M261 has a higher resistance to pressure and wear. By eliminating the need for additional heat treatment, the throughput time can also be significantly reduced.
Read MoreUddeholm Holdax is prehardened steel with very good machinability and good resistance to indentation, mainly as holder steel for the plastic industry: Holders/bolsters for plastic moulds and die casting dies Plastics and rubber moulds with low requirements on polishability Support plates Constructional parts Uddeholm Holdax can also be used for engineering applications. Benefits Fast machining Less wear of cutting tools Good resistance to indentation Standard specification W.nr 1.2312 / AFNOR 40 CMD 8 + S
Read MoreUddeholm Impax Supreme is prehardened mould steel with very good polishing and photo etching properties. It is suitable for a wide range of injection moulds, blow moulds and extrusion dies for plastic. Uddeholm Impax Supreme is supplied at 290-330 HB. In east/south east asian countries served by Assab Uddeholm Impax Supreme is sold as AS 718 Supreme. Benefits No hardening risks No hardening costs Time saving, e.g. no waiting for heat treatment Lower tool cost (e.g. no distortion to rectify) Modifications easily carried out Can be subsequently nitrided to increase surface wear resistance or locally flame hardened to reduce surface damage. Standard specification W.nr 1.2738 / AISI P20 / AFNOR 35 CND 7
Read MoreUddeholm Nimax is a low carbon steel with excellent toughness, machinability and weldability. It has also good polishing and etching properties. Uddeholm Nimax combines high hardness with a high toughness. This leads to a mould with good resistance to indentations and a minimum risk for unexpected failures, thereby leading to a more reliable tool and prolonged tool life. Benefits Excellent machinability reduces the manufacturing time Easy weldability, as no preheating or post treatment necessary, Good resistance to indentations and a minimum risk for unexpected failures, because of the high hardness in combination with a high toughness Safe mould and aprolonged tool life Uddeholm Nimax delivery hardness is 360-400 HB.
Read MoreUddeholm Nimax ESR is an ESR remelted version of Uddeholm Nimax, keeping the features of Uddeholm Nimax, but with improved cleanliness and homogeneity as a result of the ESR process. Benefits Excellent polishing and etching properties Excellent machinability reduces the manufacturing time Easy weldability, as no preheating or post treatment necessary Good resistance to indentations and a minimum risk for unexpected failures, because of the high hardness in combination with a high toughness Safe mould and a prolonged tool life Examples of applications for Uddeholm Nimax ESR Automotive: Head and rear light, Large interior parts White goods: Control panels Electronic: LED TV frames
Read MoreUddeholm 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
Read MoreUddeholm 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
Read MoreUddeholm Unimax is a high hardness hot work tool steel which provides great wear resistance even over extended time at elevated temperatures. It performs very well in precision forging and hot stamping. Benefits Improved durability and wear resistance in moulding processes that wear hard on the mould like, long run production, moulding of reinforced plastics and compression moulding Longer tool life and a smoother production run with fewer disturbances for maintenance due to the high ductility Problem solver in severe cold work applications where high chipping resistance is required The high hardness and toughness together with the good dimension stability makes Unimax suitable as a substrate steel for surface coating when needed The very good hardenability and the unique properties profile of Unimax make it especially suitable for larger moulds. Unimax is therefore supplied in larger dimensions
Read MoreUddeholm 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
Read MoreUddeholm Vida 1 ESR is a premium ESR-remelted hot work tool steel developed for demanding tooling applications where toughness, reliability, and surface quality are critical. Based on a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloyed composition, it combines excellent high-temperature strength with outstanding toughness and ductility, making it a trusted choice for both hot work tooling and large plastic moulds. Benefits The ESR (Electro Slag Remelting) process provides a cleaner and more homogeneous steel structure, resulting in very good polishability and texturing properties, as well as consistent performance throughout the tool. Uddeholm Vidar 1 ESR offers good machinability, reliable through-hardening characteristics, and excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment. These properties help toolmakers achieve predictable manufacturing results and long service life in production environments. With its combination of strength, wear resistance, and toughness, Uddeholm Vidar 1 ESR is particularly suitable for plastic injection moulds, die-casting components, extrusion tooling, and other applications exposed to high mechanical and thermal loads. It delivers dependable performance, reduced maintenance requirements, and enhanced tool productivity. Standard specification W.nr 1.2343 / AFNOR Z38 CDV 5 (H11 ESR)
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