Mold steel
At GPMFG, you can find more durable & affordable mold steel materials, we aim to eliminate the complexity and heavy cost of precision, custom tooling for you.
CARBON STEELS
Carbon steel is a popular material for mold forming due to its low cost, high strength, and durability. It is a type of steel that contains carbon as the main alloying element, with small amounts of other elements. Carbon steel can be easily machined and welded, making it a versatile material for mold forming.
| STEEL NAME | China | U.S.A | Germany | Japan | The original hardness | Quenching | Properties&Application |
| GB | AISI | DIN | JIS | HB | HRC | ||
| JIS S50C Medium-carbon steel | 50 | 1050 | 1.054or1.121 | JIS S50C | 200HB | Good comprehensive mechanical properties, used for structural parts | |
| EAB spring flat steel | 65Mn | W1 | 1.0642 | Anneal to HB210 | 40-48 | Blade die, spring piece, mechanical accessories | |
| ASSAB K100 High carbon steel | T10 | W1 | 1.1654 | SK3 | Anneal to HB170 | 45-62 | Good wear resistance, enough hardness, good core toughness |
COLD WORK STEELS
Cold work steels are a group of tool steels used primarily for mold forming applications. These steels are known for their high strength, toughness and wear resistance, even at low temperatures. Cold work steels can withstand repeated cycles of heating, cooling and mechanical stress during the forming process, making them ideal for use in molds.
| STEEL NAME | China | U.S.A | Germany | Japan | The original hardness | Quenching | Properties&Application |
| GB | AISI | DIN | JIS | HB | HRC | ||
| ASSAB DF-2 non-deforming steel | 9CrWMn | D1 | 1.251 | SKS3 | Anneal to HB190 | 50-62 | Small deformation during heat treatment, good wear resistance and machinability |
| ASSAB XW-10 Medium-carbon Chrome steel | Cr5M01V | A2 | 1.2363 | SKD12 | Anneal to HB190 | 58-62 | Complex shape and long-term production of foil stamping die, shear, drawing, measuring tools |
| ASSAB XW-5 High carbon Chrome steel | Cr12W | D6 | 1.2436 | SKD1 | Anneal to HB210 | 58-64 | Stainless steel and silicon steel sheet cutting die, pipe die, complex die |
| ASSAB XW-41 tenacity Chrome steel | Cr12M0V | D2 | 1.2379 | SKD11 | Anneal to HB210 | 58-62 | Thread tooth plate, long – term production stamping die, electronic plastic die |
| ASSAB S-7 Gravity die steel | S7 | Anneal to HB190 | 51-58 | Thick piece cutting die, pneumatic drill and wind shovel, wear resistance, plus fiber plastic die | |||
| DAIDO DC-53 tenacity Chrome steel | Cr8M02VSi | A8改良 | 1.2379 | SKD11 | Anneal to HB210 | 58-63 | Better hardness and toughness than SKD11 steel, suitable for wire cutting, used for stamping die, deep drawing and tooth rubbing die |
| DAIDO 440C stainless steel | 11Cr17 | 440C | SUS440C | Anneal to HB269 | 54-58 | Semiconductor, Encapsulation, engineering plastic Mould, good acid proof, high hardness stainless steel | |
| ASSAB V10 High life powder metallurgy steel | Anneal to HB280 ~ 310 | 62 |
HOT WORK STEELS
Hot work steels are high-temperature tooling materials designed for use in applications such as forging, extrusion, and die casting. These steels offer excellent thermal resistance, high toughness, and resistance to wear and deformation under extreme heat and pressure conditions. They are commonly used in the manufacturing of molds for plastic injection molding and other types of mold forming processes.
| STEEL NAME | China | U.S.A | Germany | Japan | The original hardness | Quenching | Properties&Application |
| GB | AISI | DIN | JIS | HB | HRC | ||
| DAIDO H-1 Heat resistant mold steel | H13 | 1.2344 | SKD61 | Anneal to HB229 | 44-52 | High toughness, heat resistance, good strength and heat resistance at high temperature | |
| ASSAB 8402 Heat resistant mold steel | H11 | 1.2343 | SKD6 | Anneal to HB185 | 44-52 | Metal die casting, extrusion die | |
| ASSAB 8407 Heat resistant mold steel | 4Cr5M0SiV1 | H13ESR | 1.2344 | SKD61 | Anneal to HB185 | 44-52 | Metal die casting, extrusion die. Better heat and fatigue resistance, especially suitable for large or complex mold |
| A&D H933 | H11 | 1.2343 | SKD6 | 44-55 | Zinc, aluminum alloy extrusion and die casting molds, specially designed for sudden temperature change and thermal stress fatigue problems. |
Plastic Mold Steel
Plastic mold steels are high-performance materials designed specifically for use in the production of plastic injection molds. These steels offer excellent wear resistance, toughness, and corrosion resistance, allowing them to withstand the demands of the injection molding process. They are typically used in the manufacture of complex, high-precision parts for a range of industries, including automotive, medical, and consumer goods.
| STEEL NAME | China | U.S.A | Germany | Japan | The original hardness | Quenching | Properties&Application |
| GB | AISI | DIN | JIS | HB | HRC | ||
| MLP-1 Large mold steel | 55 | 1055 | 1.054 | Pre hardened to HB175 | General large television, laundry machine mold, mechanical accessories | ||
| DAiDO NAK-55 Pre hardened steel | P21 Upgrade | Anneal to HB370 ~ 400 | High hardness and easy cutting, good welding performance | ||||
| DAiDO NAK80 Pre hardened steel | 1CrNi3 | P21 Upgrade | HB370 ~ 400 | High hardness, good mirror effect, good discharge machining, excellent welding performance | |||
| LIM 738 | 3Cr2M0+Ni | P20+Ni | 1.2738 | Anneal to 738 HB290 ~ 330 | HB330 ~ 370 | High toughness and high finish mold, suitable for large plastic mold | |
| ASSAB 618 | 3Cr2M0 | P20 | 1.2312 | Pre hardened to HB280 ~ 320 | Thermoplastic plastic injection mold and extrusion mold, blow mold | ||
| ASSAB 718 | 3Cr2M0+Ni | P20 | 1.2738 | Anneal to 718S HB290 ~ 330 | Long – term production of plastic mold steel, with good polishing performance, easy processing | ||
| 718H | Anneal to 718H HB330 ~ 370 | ||||||
| ASSAB S136 Mirror mold steel | 4Cr13 | 420ESR | 1.2083 | sus420f 1/2 | S136Anneal to HB215 | 52-54 | Mirror mold and high acid proof, suitable for PVC, POM, PMMA and other plastics |
| S136H | S136HPre hardened to HB290 ~ 330 | ||||||
| ASSAB HSP-41 high tenacity | W6Mo5Cr4V2 | M2 | SKH51 | Anneal to HB260 | 65 | Excellent wear resistance and hot hardness |
H.S. STEELS
H.S. Steels is a type of high carbon steel used for mold forming, specifically for injection molding and die-casting processes. It has excellent wear resistance, toughness, and thermal conductivity, making it an ideal choice for applications requiring high performance and long tool life. H.S. Steels are often used in the production of plastic parts, automotive components, and consumer products.
| STEEL NAME | China | U.S.A | Germany | Japan | The original hardness | Quenching | Properties&Application |
| GB | AISI | DIN | JIS | HB | HRC | ||
| ASSAB ASP23 powder metallurgy high speed steel | M3：2 | Anneal to HB260 | 64 | High wear resistance, difficult to process, difficult to grind, strong toughness | |||
| ASSAB ASP30 powder metallurgy high speed steel | Anneal to HB300 | 66 | Usually used in red rigid as the primary factor or higher | ||||
| ASSAB ASP60 powder metallurgy high speed steel | Anneal to HB340 | 68 | Requires extreme wear resistance on the die |
Comparison of different steels
| Steel Type | Carbon Steel | Cold Work Steel | Hot Work Steel | Plastic Mold Steel | H.S. Steel |
| Composition | Iron and Carbon (<2%) | High Carbon and Chromium | High Carbon and Chromium | High Carbon, Chromium, and Molybdenum | High Speed Tungsten and Chromium |
| Hardness | Low to Medium | High | High | High | Extremely High |
| Toughness | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Medium to High | Low |
| Wear Resistance | Low to Medium | Medium to High | High | High | Extremely High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
| Heat Resistance | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | High | High | Extremely High |
| Machinability | High | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
| Weldability | High | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Uses | Construction, Automotive, Machinery | Cutting tools, Dies, Punches | Forging, Extrusion, Hot Rolling | Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding | Cutting tools, Drills, Saw blades |
Injection Mold Processing Capabilities
Our plastic injection molds are fabricated to meet strict international standards, ensuring exceptional quality for every project, whether it’s a one-off or a large production run. We are committed to providing our clients with reliable and long-lasting mold tools that you can trust.
Mold Class | Purpose | Shot Life | Tolerance | Cost | Lead Time |
Class 105 | Prototype Testing | Under 500 cycles | ± 0.02mm | $ | 7-10 days |
Class 104 | Low-volume Production | Under 100.000 cycles | ± 0.02mm | $$$ | 10-15 days |
Class 103 | Low-volume Production | Under 500.000 cycles | ± 0.02mm | $$$$ | 10-15 days |
Class 102 | Medium-volume Production | Medium to high production | ± 0.02mm | $$$$$ | 10-15 days |
Class 101 | High-volume Production | Over 1,000,000 cycles | ± 0.02mm | $$$$$$ | 10-18 days |
Immediately start the next mold project and capture the market
FAQ
What is mold steel?
Mold steel refers to a type of steel specifically designed and optimized for manufacturing molds used in various industries, such as injection molding, blow molding, and die casting. Mold steel possesses characteristics like high hardness, wear resistance, excellent machinability, and good thermal conductivity.
What steels are best for making molds?
The choice of steel for making a mold depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of molding process, the expected production volume, the material being molded, and the desired mold life. Some common mold steels include carbon steel, hot work steel, cold work steel, etc.
How to choose steel for molds?
Mold type and complexity
Desired mold life and production volume
Material being molded and its properties
Molding process requirements (e.g., temperature, pressure, wear resistance)
Budget constraints
Consult GPMFG’s experienced mold designers to help you choose the most appropriate steel for your specific mold application.
What steel is used for injection molds?
Injection molds typically use steel grades that offer a combination of high hardness, good polishability, excellent dimensional stability, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Commonly used steels for injection molds include P20, H13, S136, and 718.
How long can steel molds last?
The lifespan of a steel mold can vary depending on factors such as material being molded, process conditions, maintenance, and mold quality. Generally, well-maintained steel molds can last for 50,000 to 500,000 molding cycles. Regular maintenance, careful use, and addressing any issues promptly can help maximize the lifespan of a steel mold.
How to clean steel molds?
Cleaning steel molds is crucial for their proper maintenance. Here are some steps to clean steel molds:
Start by removing any residual material from the mold cavities using appropriate tools.
Use a mild detergent or specialized mold cleaner to remove surface contaminants.
For more stubborn residues, consider using non-abrasive tools like plastic or wooden scrapers.
Rinse the mold with clean water and dry thoroughly to prevent corrosion.
Apply a thin layer of rust preventive oil or mold release agent to protect the mold when not in use.
