Plastic mould steel, also known as mold steel or tool steel, is a type of steel specifically designed for the production of plastic molds. It is utilized in the manufacturing of injection molds, blow molds, extrusion dies, and other tooling used in plastic molding processes.
Plastic mold steels are required to possess certain key characteristics to ensure successful mold production. These steels should have excellent machinability, high wear resistance, good polishability, and the ability to maintain dimensional stability during the molding process. They must also exhibit good thermal conductivity to facilitate efficient cooling of the molten plastic.
The selection of plastic mould steel depends on various factors such as the type of plastic being molded, the complexity of the mold design, expected production volume, and the desired surface finish of the molded parts. Common types of plastic mold include P20 (or equivalent grades), H13, S136, NAK80, and 420 stainless steel.
Plastic mold steels are typically alloyed with elements such as chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium to enhance their mechanical properties. These alloying elements contribute to increased hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance, ensuring the longevity and performance of the molds.
Proper heat treatment of plastic mould is crucial to achieve the desired hardness and toughness. Different heat treatment processes such as quenching and tempering are employed to optimize the steel’s properties for specific mold applications.
In summary, plastic mold steel is a specialized type of steel designed to meet the unique requirements of plastic molding processes. It offers the necessary qualities to produce high-quality molds that can withstand the rigors of repeated use and ensure the production of precise and defect-free plastic parts.
Why Plastic Mould Steel Is Important ?
Plastic mold steel is very important for making plastic parts. These parts are used in industries, like cars, electronics, medical devices, packaging and consumer goods. The quality of mould steel affects how long the mould lasts, how the molded parts look how efficient production is and the overall cost of making things.
If you choose the right mould steel it can help reduce maintenance work improve accuracy and increase production.
Features of Plastic Mold Steel
Good plastic mold steel has advantages. Here are some of them:
* It is easy to machine.
* It can be polished to a mirror finish.
* It has good wear resistance.
* It is tough.
* It has hardness.
* It has dimensional stability.
* It conducts heat well.
* Some grades are corrosion resistant.
* It makes the mould last longer.
* It is easy to maintain.
Common Plastic Mold Steel Grades
We supply types of plastic mold steel. Here are some examples:
We choose each grade based on the mould size how parts we need to make the type of plastic and the required finish.
Why Choose Virat Special Steels?
Virat Special Steels Pvt. Limited supplies premium-quality plastic mould steel sourced from globally recognized manufacturers.
We Offer
Ready stock
Round Bars
Flat Bars
Forged Blocks
Custom Cut Sizes
UT Tested Material
Spectro Tested Material
Mill Test Certificates (MTC)
Technical Material Selection
PAN India Delivery
Need help choosing between DIN 1.2714 Steel , DB6, and H13 for your next die?
Talk to our technical sales team before you place the order — it’s a five-minute call that can save you a failed die six months from now.
Call us: +91-98140 21775 Email: info@viratsteels.com Visit us: Gurgaon (Haryana) | Ludhiana (Punjab)
Applications of Plastic Mold Steel
Plastic mold steel is widely used in manufacturing:
Engineering Components
Plastic Injection Moulds
Blow Moulds
Compression Moulds
Automotive Components
Medical Equipment
Consumer Electronics
Packaging Products
Household Appliances
Bottle Caps & Containers
Industrial Plastic Parts
Need help choosing between DIN 1.2714 Steel , DB6, and H13 for your next die?
Talk to our technical sales team before you place the order — it’s a five-minute call that can save you a failed die six months from now.
Call us: +91-98140 21775 Email: info@viratsteels.com Visit us: Gurgaon (Haryana) | Ludhiana (Punjab)
FAQ
1. What is plastic mold steel?
Plastic mold steel is a kind of steel that people use to make tools for molding plastic. These tools are called injection molds and blow moulds.
2. Which steel is best for moulds?
There are a types of steel that are really good for making plastic moulds. These include P20, DIN 1.2738 H13, NAK80 and S136. The best one to use depends on what you’re making.
3. What are the advantages of plastic mold steel?
Plastic mold steel is great because it is easy to work with it can be polished to a shine and it lasts a long time. It also does not change shape much even when it is used a lot and it resists wear and tear.
4. What is P20 steel used for?
P20 steel is often used to make medium to plastic injection moulds. It is also used to make die holders and mould bases.
5. What is the difference between P20 and DIN 1.2738?
DIN 1.2738 is a type of steel that’s similar to P20 but it has nickel added to it. This makes it tougher and easier to polish than P20. It also stays hard and consistent which is important for making plastic moulds.
6. Is H13 suitable for moulds?
Yes H13 is a choice, for plastic moulds especially when they have to withstand high temperatures. H13 steel is very resistant to wear and tear. It can handle the heat without breaking down.
7. Does plastic mold steel need to be heated to make it stronger?
Some types of plastic mold steel like P20 and DIN 1.2738 are already strong when we get them. Other types might need to be heated to make them strong depending on what we are using them for.
8. How hard is the plastic mold steel when we buy it?
The standard P20 and DIN 1.2738 plastic muld steel is usually strong with a hardness of 280 to 320 HB. This can vary a little depending on the type of plastic mold steel.
9. What shapes can we get mould steel in?
We can get mould steel in round sticks flat sticks, square sticks, big blocks, flat plates and we can even get it cut to the size we need.
10. Does Virat Special Steels give us a paper to prove the quality of the material?
Yes. Virat Special Steels gives us a paper from the factory that says what the material is made of and we can also get papers that show the results of tests like UT and Spectro tests if we ask for them.
11. Which industries use plastic mold steel to make things?
A lot of industries use plastic mold steel like the companies that make cars, packaging, medical tools, electronics, things for the home and appliances.
12. Where can I buy plastic mold steel in India?
We can buy plastic mold steel from Virat Special Steels Pvt. Limited they have a lot of it in stock they can cut it to the size we need. They can deliver it to us quickly anywhere, in India.
