These hardened and tempered, corrosion-resistant steels contain approx. 13 to 17 % Chromium as well as additions of Molybdenum and Nickel and achieve high yield strengths combined with good toughness. Such steels are usually supplied in the as heat-treated condition to approx. 30 to 42 HRC. Omission of further heat treatments improves cost-effectiveness and logistics in toolmaking.
This group of steels is specifically intended for use as corrosion-resistant tool steel in plastics processing.
Pre-tempered steels are steels that are already quenched and tempered by the steel supplier, usually with hardnesses of 30 to 40 HRC, and are then delivered to tool production in this condition. By omitting the heat treatment in the course of tool production, the economic efficiency can be significantly improved. With the delivery hardness in the range of approx. 30 to approx. 40 HRC, there is a good compromise between machinability and wear resistance or compressive strength (edge stability), which is sufficient for many applications in plastics processing.
Steels in this product group are usually selected martensitic stainless steels with approx. 13 to 17 % Cr , alloyed with Mo and Ni and a C content of approx. 0.30 to 0.40%.
In the production of these steels, special consideration is given to the needs of plastics processing with regard to polishability and corrosion resistance in terms of purity, homogeneity and analytical balance.
In special cases, the microstructure is specifically optimised by a special analytical balance, and sulphur is added in small proportions (0.10 to approx. 0.20%) to improve machinability. However, due to the addition of sulphur, losses in corrosion resistance and polishability have to be taken into account.
BÖHLER M303 is a corrosion-resistant, martensitic chromium steel with very good toughness, corrosion resistance, good wear resistance and improved machinability and polishability. Compared to 1.2316, BÖHLER M303 has better homogeneity and is approved for food and beverage contact.
Read MoreBÖHLER M303 ISOPLAST corresponds to a remelted BÖHLER M303 . The variation in the production route enables greater toughness and polishability thanks to higher purity and improved homogeneity. Also available as product variant BÖHLER M303HH ISOPLAST (high-hard variant).
Read MoreUddeholm Idun is the world’s first patented corrosion resistant tool holder steel. It is delivered in pre-hardened condition and provides the possibility to start machining the finished part directly. Uddeholm Idun shares the superior qualities that always accompany the members of the Uddeholm Tool Holder Concept – meeting your requirements on durability while still being good to machine. With Uddeholm Idun we offer you even more: a possibility to change the game. A corrosion resistant steel grade that is delivered in pre-hardened condition. Uddeholm Idun allows you to skip the long and costly process of hardening, surface treatment and the transportation in between that is normally required with standard materials. A safe and reliable fast forward button to your finished product. It shortens tool making lead time and improves tool holder durability. It is e.g. perfect for custom made tool holders. Benefits Corrosion resistant Big savings in time and money Environmentally friendly
Read MoreUddeholm Mirrax 40 is a prehardened remelted stainless tool steel, supplied at 40 HRC. Uddeholm Mirrax 40 is produced using the electroslag remelting (ESR) process – an additional step in the steelmaking process that ensures very clean steel. Consequently, Uddeholm Mirrax 40 is capable of being polished to a very high surface finish. In addition, the combination of high hardness with high toughness results in a mould with good resistance to indentations and minimize the risk of unexpected failures, leading to a safer mould and a prolonged tool life. Benefits Lower production costs Fast tool making Excellent surface finish possible Less maintenance work Safe production
Read MoreUddeholm RoyAlloy is a high-performance stainless mold base tool steel designed to deliver exceptional durability and efficiency in demanding tooling environments. It is developed to meet the requirements of mould bases and molds where demands on surface finish, service life, and corrosion resistance are more moderate. The material offers an attractive balance between performance, machinability, and cost, making it a competitive option for standard applications in the plastics industry. Benefits Unlike conventional stainless steels, RoyAlloy is supplied in a pre-hardened condition of approximately 30 HRC, eliminating the need for additional heat treatment. This significantly reduces lead times and production costs while ensuring dimensional stability throughout machining and finishing processes. RoyAlloy’s superior corrosion resistance sets it apart in applications where moisture or humid environments can compromise tool life. By minimizing rust and surface degradation, it ensures longer service intervals and reduced maintenance costs. The material’s homogeneous structure and stable mechanical properties provide good dimensional stability and sufficient strength for applications involving short to medium production runs or less demanding plastics. The steel’s weldability and repairability further enhance its value, allowing easy maintenance and extending tool lifespan.
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