Standards : X153CrMoV12

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Total Weight: 0.00 kg
Element % Content
Carbon (C)0.28 – 0.40
Silicon (Si)0.20 – 0.80
Manganese (Mn)0.60 – 1.00
Chromium (Cr)1.40 – 2.00
Nickel (Ni)0.30 – 1.00
Molybdenum (Mo)0.30 – 0.55
Sulphur (S)≤ 0.035 (higher in 1.2312 free-machining grade)

Grade Brief

AISI P20 Steel is a versatile, low-alloy tool steel primarily designed for use in plastic mould tooling. It is supplied in the pre-hardened condition (around ~300 HBW / 30-32 HRC), which means it does not require further heat treatment before use, making it highly convenient for large and complex moulds.

P20 steel is a pre-hardened plastic mould tool steel with a balance of machinability, strength, toughness, and polishability. It is widely used across industries for moulds and dies, with regional equivalents like DIN 1.2311/1.2312, PX5, and 3Cr2Mo.

Key Properties

Mode of Supply

Kuber Multi Metals is the largest stockiest and supplier of P20 Steel in flat, square and round bar. We provide steel in all sizes as your requirements. P20 die steel is available in flat, square and round shape. Consult our team who will assist you for P20 steel query.

P20-Round
ROUND
SQUARE
P20-Flat
FLAT

Steel Properties

P20 / DIN 2311 /AISI P20 is the Pre Hardened Plastic mould steel hardness distributed evenly in large cross sections that have excellent weldability with least hardness elevation, good mirror polishability and less streak texture making finishing easier. Size Section availability upto 255mm thickness. Supply hardness is 240-280 BHN.

Mechanical Properties
Property Value (Approx.)
Hardness28 – 34 HRC (300 HBW)
Tensile Strength~1000 – 1200 MPa
Yield Strength~800 – 900 MPa
Impact Toughness (Charpy)20 – 25 J

Physical Properties

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Temp. Range (°C) 20–100 20–150 20–200 20–250 20–300 20–350 20–400 20–450 20–500
Expansion Coefficient 12.7 12.8 13.1 13.3 13.6 13.7 13.8 14.0 14.3
Thermal Conductivity
Temperature (°C) 23 150 300 350 400 500
Conductivity 32.0 32.8 31.4 30.2 29.6 27.5

Heat Treatment & Processes

Heat Treatment

During the carburizing process, P20 / DIN 2311 / AISI P20 tool steels are heated to 871-899°C (1600-1650°F) in the carburizing medium. After carburizing, these steels are heated to 816-871°C (1500-1600°F) to harden, then held for 15 minutes before being oil quenched.

Hardening

Heat the steel consistently to 820-840°C until completely heated. Soak in oil to cool.

Forging

Heat gently, giving the steel enough time to heat all the way through. start forging at 1050 degrees. Never forge below 930°C, reheating as needed. After forging, allow it to progressively cool.

Stress Relieving

To reduce machining stresses when dies are substantially machined, stabilizing is advised right before finishing machining. 460° to 500° Celsius. Good soaking followed by air cooling is advised.

Normalizing

Heating uniformly to 900°C for P20 / DIN 2311 / AISI P20 steel.

Annealing

Heating consistently to 770–790°C for P20 / DIN 2311 / AISI P20 annealing. Good soaking, gentle cooling in the boiler.

Tempering

Heat evenly and soak for at least one hour for every 25mm of section at the tempering temperature. Allow it to cool in a cool air.

Welding

P20 / DIN 2311 / AISI P20 tool steels are welded using traditional techniques.

Soft Annealing
Annealing Temp
(°C)
Cooling Max. Hardness
(HB)
Extra
Column 1
Extra
Column 2
710 – 740 Furnace 235 Value A Value B
Hardening
Hardening Temp
(°C)
Quenching
Medium
Hardness After
Quenching (HRC)
Extra
Column 1
Extra
Column 2
840 – 870 Polymer or Oil 51 Value C Value D
Tempering After Quenching
Tempering Temp
(°C)
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Extra
Column 1
Extra
Column 2
Hardness (HRC) 51.5 50.2 48 46.2 43 39 29 Value E Value F

International Designations

Region Standard / Grade
USAAISI P20
EuropeDIN 1.2311, 1.2312 (ISO 4957)
JapanJIS PX5
China3Cr2Mo, 3Cr2MoNi (GB/T 1299)
Time Temperature Transformation
Tempering

Application

Plastic injection moulds (for automotive parts, appliance housings, packaging),  Die casting dies (for zinc, sometimes aluminium), Blow moulds (for bottles, containers), Mould bases, frames, and tooling components.

Conclusion

P20 (DIN 1.2311) steel is an extremely versatile, pre-hardened plastic mould tool steel that is easily machinable, strong, tough, and can produce an excellent surface finish. Its balancing characteristics render it the best in large and complex moulds, blow moulds, die casting dies, and quality mould bases. It is among the most popular steels used in mould-making globally, together with international equivalents like AISI P20, DIN 1.2311/1.2312/PX5, and 3Cr2Mo. It is also capable of being nitrided or carburized, which increases its wear resistance, and P20 is a strong contender in the long-term tooling solutions.

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