P20 (1.2085), also known as 420 Modified, is a mold steel grade primarily used for applications requiring high polishability and corrosion resistance. Here's a description of P20 (1.2085) mold steel:
Composition: P20 (1.2085) typically contains approximately 0.16-0.25% carbon, 1.00-1.30% chromium, 0.30-0.60% manganese, 0.40-0.70% silicon, and small amounts of phosphorus and sulfur. This composition provides P20 (1.2085) with its desirable properties for mold-making applications.
Polishability: P20 (1.2085) is known for its excellent polishability, allowing for the production of high-quality surface finishes on molded parts. This makes it suitable for applications where aesthetics and surface texture are critical, such as in the production of consumer products and components with visible surfaces.
Corrosion Resistance: P20 (1.2085) exhibits good corrosion resistance, particularly in environments where molds may be exposed to corrosive plastics or humid conditions. This resistance to corrosion helps extend the service life of molds and reduces maintenance requirements.
Toughness: P20 (1.2085) exhibits good toughness, allowing it to withstand the mechanical stresses and impact loads encountered during the molding process. This toughness helps prevent cracking and deformation of the molds, ensuring prolonged tool life.
Wear Resistance: While P20 (1.2085) offers decent wear resistance, its primary advantage lies in its polishability and corrosion resistance. It can withstand the abrasive wear encountered during the molding process and maintain its surface finish over prolonged use.
Machinability: P20 (1.2085) has good machinability, allowing for easy machining into complex shapes and forms using conventional machining techniques such as milling, drilling, turning, and grinding. Its machinability facilitates the production of intricate mold components with tight tolerances.
Heat Treatment: P20 (1.2085) can be hardened through various heat treatment processes, including quenching and tempering, to achieve the desired hardness and mechanical properties. The specific heat treatment process may vary depending on the application requirements and desired mold properties.
Dimensional Stability: P20 (1.2085) exhibits good dimensional stability during heat treatment and prolonged use, minimizing distortion and warping of the molds. This property is essential for producing precision molded parts with consistent dimensions and tight tolerances.
In summary, P20 (1.2085) mold steel is valued for its excellent combination of polishability, corrosion resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability, making it a preferred choice for various mold-making applications in the plastics industry.