P20 1.2738

P20 (1.2738) is a widely used mold steel grade known for its excellent combination of toughness, machinability, and polishability, making it suitable for a variety of plastic injection molding and extrusion applications. Here's a description of P20 (1.2738) mold steel:

• Composition: P20 (1.2738) typically contains approximately 0.28-0.40% carbon, 1.4-1.6% chromium, 0.6-1.0% manganese, 0.9-1.3% molybdenum, and small amounts of silicon and sulfur. This composition provides P20 (1.2738) with its desirable properties for mold-making applications.
• Toughness: P20 (1.2738) exhibits excellent 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.
• Machinability: P20 (1.2738) 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.

• Polishability: P20 (1.2738) 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.
• Wear Resistance: While P20 (1.2738) offers decent wear resistance, its primary advantage lies in its toughness and polishability. It can withstand the abrasive wear encountered during the molding process and maintain its surface finish over prolonged use.
• Corrosion Resistance: P20 (1.2738) exhibits good corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in environments where molds may be exposed to corrosive plastics or humid conditions. Proper maintenance and surface treatments can further enhance its resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
• Heat Treatment: P20 (1.2738) 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 (1.2738) 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 (1.2738) mold steel is valued for its excellent combination of toughness, machinability, polishability, and dimensional stability, making it a preferred choice for various mold-making applications in the plastics industry.