Plastic mould tool steels & metals

Choosing the optimum mould material will depend on the type of plastic material being moulded, production method, number of parts to be produced, tolerances and surface finish. Special steels stock a range of plastic mould steels and metals that offer a range of properties.

 The right choice depends on the properties required. Namely;

  • high surface finish,
  • corrosion resistance,
  • wear resistance,
  • high thermal conductivity,
  • good surface finish after EDM or photoetching. 

Products available from us are categorised as follows :

Pre-Hardened Metals and Precipitation Hardening Steels

The development of ever-larger plastic parts places increasing importance on the correct heat treatment of the moulds. In order to eliminate dimensional changes and quench cracking, pre-heat-treated steels are used for large tools. They are heat treated to a hardness of 290–400 HB/approximately 30–43 HRC by the manufacturer. At this hardness, the steel retains machinability but still has a good wear resistance and adequate strength.

Particular advantages of pre-heat-treated metals include the lack of heat treating after machining and that they can be used as supplied even in large dimensions.

Pre-hardened corrosion resistant steels

The processing of plastics which contain chemically aggressive or abrasive fillers demand hardenable corrosion-resistant steels. This reduces the mould maintenance necessary when compared to steels which are less corrosion resistant. The hardness of approximate 28-40 HRC (similar to the non-corrosion-resistant heat-treatable steels) is an optimum compromise between machinability and wear resistance/compressive strength. In special cases, a higher working hardness may be used.

Hardenable corrosion resistant steels

The processing of plastics which contain chemically aggressive or abrasive fillers demand hardenable, corrosion-resistant steels. This reduces the mould maintenance necessary in comparison to steels which are less resistant to corrosion.


Hardenable steels:

These steels are delivered in the soft annealed condition and usually hardened to over 60 HRC after machining.

Product Overview Availability Datasheet
Bohler M238 P20+Ni / 1.2738

Pre-hardened ( Tensile strength approximate 1000 MPa; hardness about 300 HB) mould steel with high purity levels, a good uniform structure and hardness, even in large section sizes over 400mm. This results in good toughness and polishability. Supplied hardened and tempered at a suitable operating hardness. Can be nitrided or hard Chrome plated for extra wear resistance. Good photoetching properties. Suitable for injection moulds and extrusion dies for plastics. Forming tools, press brake dies (with nitriding or local flame hardening) and machinery components, such as shafts, bolts and gears

NZ Stock

Rounds 

ø 12.7mm - 600mm 

Plates

20mm - 150 mm thick

Blocks

160mm - 500 mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Impax Supreme P20+Ni / 1.2738

Uddeholm Impax Supreme is a premium prehardened mould steel with
very good polishing and texturing properties.
Uddeholm Impax Supreme is available in a very wide dimensional range,
where even the largest dimensions show a very uniform hardness profile
all through the cross section.
The delivery hardness of ~310 HB, makes the steel suitable for a many
different applications like:
– Moulds for plastic injection moulding
– Moulds for blow moulding
– Dies for plastic extrusion
– General constructional parts, like machine components requiring
improved fatigue strength and reliability

NZ Stock

Rounds

12mm - 600mm

Flats/Plates

20mm - 150mm thick

Blocks

160mm - 500mm thick

 

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Nimax

Low carbon pre-hardened plastic mould material. Suitable for a variety of plastic injection moulds particularly the packaging industry and appliances. Holder material for forging and die casting dies, holder material for cutting tools. Structural components. Con rods, crankshafts. Excellent machinability and easy to weld. High pre-hardened hardness with high toughness. 

NZ Stock

Rounds 

25.4mm - 280mm diameter

Flats

15mm- 500mm thick

Download Datasheet
Bohler W302 Isodisc H13 / 1.2344

Suitable for heavy duty hot work tools and dies: mainly for light alloy die casting applications. Hot extrusion tools, hot shear blades. Can also be used for plastic moulding dies and Engineering components/Parts requiring good toughness and torsional characteristics (after appropriate heat treatment processing).

NZ Stock

Supplied in the annealed condition.

Rounds

ø10mm - ø508mm

Flats / Blocks 

25mm - 305 mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Orvar 2M H13 / 1.2344

Uddeholm Orvar 2 M is a chromium molybdenum-vanadium-alloyed steel which is characterised by:
• good resistance to abrasion at both low and high temperatures
• high level of toughness and ductility
• uniform and high level of machinability and polishability
• good high-temperature strength and resistance to thermal fatigue
• excellent through-hardening properties
• very limited distortion during hardening

Delivery condition: Soft annealed to approx. 185 HB

NZ Stock

Rounds

10mm - 460mm diameter

Flats / Blocks

25mm - 305 mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Vidar 1 ESR ~H11 ESR / 1.2343 ESR

Used for plastic moulding, specially large moulds requiring high toughness and polishability, and general hot work applications (shear blades, forging dies, hot gripper dies, extrusion tooling). Containing less vanadium than the widely used H13 grade tool steel giving a higher toughness, with some reduction in wear and temper resistance. Possessing good resistance to heat checking (thermal fatigue) and thermal shock. 

NZ Stock

Flats

10mm - 230mm thick 

Overseas Stock

Blocks

254mm - 600mm thick

Download Datasheet
Bohler W720 VMR ASTM Marage 300 / 1.2709

Tool steel that has proved highly satisfactory for hot and cold work and long-time service up to approx . 450°C (842°F) in various fields of application. Tools for hydrostatic presses, cold extrusion tools, cold heading and embossing tools, molds for the plastics industry, die casting tools for aluminium and zinc alloys, hot pressing tools, cold pilger mandrels.

Ultra-high-strength maraging steel. In contrast to heat treatable steels its outstanding tensile properties are not due to a hardened structure with relatively high carbon content, but to precipitation of intermetallic phases from a ductile nickel bearing matrix containing almost no carbon.

This results in the following advantages: High tensile strength and excellent yield point ratio, satisfactory toughness (reduction of area, elongation, impact strength, fracture toughness) even at low temperatures, superior notched tensile strength and heat checking resistance, practically no size change in heat treatment, no decarburization, no cracking, full hardening even in sizes above average. Convenient machinability in the solution annealed condition (machining is also possible in the precipitation-hardened condition). Good cold forming properties owing to reduced susceptibility to work hardening, eminent weldability, simple heat treatment at low temperatures.

Suitable for applications in the [Engineering / Oil & Gas/CPI / Power Generation / Hot work].

Overseas Stock

Rounds

14.5mm - 182mm diameter

Square

250mm x 250mm

Additive Manufacturing Powder for 3D metal printing

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Calmax

Calmax is a medium alloyed tool steel suitable for short and medium run tooling in applications where a very high chipping resistance is required. The property profile makes Calmax a robust cold work tool steel for heavy duty blanking and forming. 

NZ Stock

Rounds  

ø14mm - ø315mm

Flats / Block      

28mm - 200mm   thick

Download Datasheet
Bohler K600 1.2767

Suitable for applications where toughness and chipping resistance are the dominant requirements, and the wear resistance is not so high. Heavy-duty cutting tools, punches and dies. Shear blades for heavier gauge material. Coining tools, cutlery dies, hobbing tools. Cold rolling dies for forming thicker sheet metal.

Also used for engineering components which require high strength and toughness.

This material is supplied in the annealed condition and must be heat treated to the appropriate condition for the intended application.

 

NZ Stock

Rounds  

ø15mm - ø252mm

Flats / Plates / Blocks   

15mm - 405mm thick 

 

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Unimax None

Unimax is a high hardness electroslag remelted tool steel which provides great wear resistance even over extended time at elevated temperatures. This product is suitable for coating and nitriding. Unimax performs very well in precision forging, hot stamping and moulding of reinforced plastics.

NZ Stock

Flats

254 x 54 mm thick

Overseas Stock

Rounds

14mm - 620mm

Flats/Blocks

57 x 28mm - 596 x 346mm

TIG Wire

Diameter 1.6mm

Download Datasheet
Bohler M310 Isoplast 420 ESR / 1.2083 ESR

Advanced martensitic stainless chromium steel for plastic moulds. 

Moulds for chemically aggresive plastics (e.g. PVC) and plastics containing abrasive fillers. Owing to its excellent polishability this grade is particularly suited for moulds of lenses and other kinds of optical products, such as spectacles, camera parts.

NZ Stock

Rounds

10mm -254mm Diameter

Plates/Flats/Block

 20mm - 315mm thick

Download Datasheet
Bohler M340

BÖHLER M340 ISOPLAST is a high performance plastic mould steel with: 

  • Excellent corrosion resistance properties
  • Suitable for heat treatment in vacuum furnaces
  • Fine carbide structure
  • Good dimensional stability with appropriate heat treatment
  • Excellent high wear resistance / edge-holdingability
  • Good machinability
  • Good polishability

NZ Stock

Rounds

40.8mm - 81mm Diameter

Overseas Stock

Rounds

6.3mm - 302.5mm diameter

Flats

25mm - 105mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Stavax ESR 420 modified / 1.2083 modified

A premium stainless mould steel for small and medium inserts and cores. It combines corrosion and wear resistance with excellent polishability, good machinability and stability in hardening. 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.

NZ Stock

Rounds

ø10mm - ø380mm 

Flats / Blocks

20mm t - 315mm t 

 

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Tyrax Patent Pending

Uddeholm Tyrax ESR is a premium high hardness and
corrosion resistant plastic mould steel. It is designed
with very high ductility/toughness and is easy and
fast to polish to the highest surface finish levels. This
grade is suited for moulding of high performance
plastics often filled with glass fibre reinforcements
and corrosive additives like flame retardants. It is also
perfect for lens applications where the surface finish
is important.

Overseas Stock

Rounds

28mm - 350mm diameter

Flats

350 x 50mm - 610 x 254mm

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Mirrax ESR 420 modified / 1.2083 modified

Possessing all the beneficial properties of Stavax ESR but with an increased resistance to cracking. The addition of nickel increases hardenability and polishability on thicker section moulds. The combination of properties creates moulds with lower maintenance, reduced corrosion in the water cooling channels, longer life. Recommended for all types of mould but especially suitable for moulding corrosive materials, and good shelf life.   

Overseas Stock

Rounds

102mm - 508mm

Flats/Blocks

102mm - 457mm thick

Laser Weld 

0.2mm - 0.6mm thick

TIG Weld

1.0mm - 1.6mm Diameter

 

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Elmax

Uddeholm Elmax SuperClean can also be used in the food processing industry and for industrial and custom knives, where a combination of corrosion resistance and wear resistance is required. 

NZ Stock

Sheet

3.2mm -5.95mm thick

 

Overseas Stock

Rounds

15mm - 180mm diameter

Sheet / Plate

3.5mm - 15.2mm thick

Flats/Blocks

16mm - 200mm thick

 

Download Datasheet
Bohler M390 Microclean

A powder metallurgy martensitic chromium steel.Exhibits high wear resistance, good corrosion resistance and very good polishability / mirror finish.

Typical applications: moulds for the processing of chemically aggressive plastics containing abrasive fillers. Moulds for the processing of duroplasts and for the production of chips for the electronic industry. Screws for injection moulding machines; non-return valves and linings for injection moulding cylinders.

Special Applications: Machine components for the paper and food processing industries and high performance knives.

Overseas Stock

Rounds

6.3 mm - 206 mm diameter

Flats / Blocks

30.8mm - 343mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Corrax

A precipitation hardening stainless steel which has superior corrosion resistance to that of 420 grade stainless steel. Suitable for shafts, fixtures used in corrosive environments. Can be used instead of 17-4 PH. Very uniform and predictable shrinkage during precipitation hardening.

Overseas Stock

Rounds

16mm - 254mm diameter

Flats

206 x 28mm - 508 x 306mm

TIG Wire

1.0-1.6 mm

Additive Manufacturing Powder for 3D metal printing

 

Download Datasheet
Bohler M303 Extra 420 modified / ~ 1.2316 modified

Pre-hardened corrosion resistant mould steel supplied at 290 - 330 HB hardness, with good machinability, very good toughness and polishability. Suitable for plastics extrusion  and injection moulding tooling; also for machinery components for example pump shafts and fittings.

NZ Stock

Rounds   

20.5mm - 252 mm

Flats / Blocks   

up to  250 mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Royalloy

A pre-hardened ( about 310 HB hardness) corrosion resistant holder steel, with very good machinability, high tensile strength and good weldability. Can be used for high strength machinery frames for the food processing and packaging industry. Corrosion resistance is similar to AISI 420/1.2083 stainless steel grades.

 

NZ Stock

Flats / Plates

12.7mm - 212mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Ramax HH 420mod

Pre-hardened corrosion resistant holder steel, supplied at 320-352 HB  and can be used for dies and caliberating tooling for plastics extrusion as well as for holders and bolsters. Applications similar to Royalloy but has a higher hardness.

NZ Stock

Rounds

50.8 - 63.5 mm diameter

Overseas Stock

Rounds

28mm - 450mm diameter

Plates

20mm - 70mm thick

Flats/Blocks

76mm - 305mm thick

 

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Holdax / Bohler M200 P20 + S / ~1.2312

Free machining pre-hardened grade. Very good machinability and uniform hardness even over large sections.Suitable for small to large plastic moulds, mould frames for the die casting and injection moulding industry. General engineering components.

NZ Stock

Rounds 

Diameter 182mm

Flats     

15mm - 75 mm thick

Overseas Stock

Rounds

20.5mm - 803mm diameter

Plates / Blocks

20mm -410mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Alumec 89

High strength aluminium alloy. Ideal material for the manufacture of prototype tools and moulding short to medium production run of less abrasive plastics. Excellent machinability, uniform hardness across large sections, high thermal conductivity, good stability and corrosion resistance combine to shorten tool making times, lower tooling costs and shorten cycle times. Can also be used in foam and rubber moulding. Anodising, hard chroming plating or Nickel plating can be used to increase surface hardness, wear resistance or corrosion resistance. 

Although especially developed for moulding applications Alumec is frequently used in industrial applications for its strength, machinability and polishability. 

NZ Stock

Rounds

60mm - 160mm

Flats/Plates

10mm - 160mm thick

Overseas Stock

Rounds

28mm -160mm diameter

Plates

10mm-300mm thick

Download Datasheet
7075 AlZn5.5MgCu

7075 aluminium alloy is a very high strength aerospace aluminium and is commonly used in applications where the strength of the material is critical and where the need for good corrosion resistance is not important. Offering superior stress corrosion resistance, 7075 provides very high yield strength(up to 465 MPa) and tensile strengths ( up to 540 MPa) which is dictated by the particular chosen temper.

Applications: Aircraft structures; Gears & shafts;Automotive and Tooling for use in moulding technologies, including injection moulding, RIM, structural foam moulding, vacuum forming, blow moulding and rubber moulding.

Exhibits Good machinability and high thermal conductivity.

NZ Stock

Rounds

19mm - 330mm diameter

Flats / Plates

9.5mm - 110mm thick

Overseas stock

For large blocks we can supply Duramold. Enquiries welcome.

 

Download Datasheet
6061 AIMg1SiCu

General engineering grade. Has very low residual stress, good weldability, and good corrosion resistance even at elevated temperatures. 

NZ Stock

Rounds

25mm - 304mm

Flats/Plates

6.3mm - 114mm thick

Download Datasheet
Uddeholm Coolmould / Berrylium Copper
A high strength berrylium copper alloy for plastics mould applications.Supplied in the age hardened ( about 40 HRC hardness) condition. 
Main properties include: high thermal conductivity; good corrosion resistance, polishability, wear resistance; good resistance to galling;good machinability and excellent weldability.
Typical applications: Blow moulds (pinch offs,neck rings and handle inserts); Injection moulds (moulds,cores and inserts); Injection nozzles and manifolds for hot runner systems.

 

NZ Stock

Rounds  

8.7mm - 140mm diameter

Flats

4mm - 50mm thick

TIG Wire Rod

1.6mm diameter

Overseas Stock 

Rounds 

12mm - 355mm diameter

Flats/ Plates

30mm -200mm thick    

 

Download Datasheet
Bohler M261

BÖHLER M261 EXTRA is a precipitation-hardening steel grade for plastic moulds, featuring excellent machinability in the as-supplied condition (Hardness 38-42 HRC), i.e. solution annealed and aged, condition. There is no need for an additional heat treatment, significantly shortening the throughput time.

NZ Stock

Rounds

30.5mm - 202mm diameter

Overseas Stock

Rounds

16mm - 262.5mm diameter

Flat

603 x 303mm

Download Datasheet
Bohler M461

BÖHLER M461 EXTRA is a precipitation-hardening steel grade for plastic moulds, featuring excellent machinability in the as-supplied, i.e. solution annealed and aged, condition (Hardness 38 -42 HRC).

It has excellent nitriding properties and is suitable for making engineering components. 

NZ Stock

Rounds

Diameter 121.5mm

Download Datasheet
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