DIN 1.2738 Tool Steel, DIN 1.2738 P20 STEEL, P20 HIGH HARD, P20 HH

DIN 1.2738 Tool Steel, DIN 1.2738 P20 STEEL, P20 HIGH HARD: The Ultimate Guide for Mold Making and Beyond

DIN 1.2738 tool steel, a versatile and high-performance material, has become a cornerstone in various industries, particularly in plastic injection molding.

This comprehensive guide delves into the properties, applications, and advantages of DIN 1.2738, providing you with a complete understanding of this essential material.

Understanding DIN 1.2738 Tool Steel

DIN 1.2738 is a pre-hardened plastic mold steel renowned for its exceptional machinability, polishability, and toughness.

It belongs to the family of low-alloy steels, with a chemical composition carefully balanced to achieve optimal performance in demanding applications.

Chemical Composition:-

The key alloying elements in DIN 1.2738 include:

• Carbon (C): 0.35 – 0.42% Provides hardness and strength.
• Chromium (Cr): 1.80 – 2.10% Enhances hardenability, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
• Molybdenum (Mo): 0.15 – 0.25% Improves toughness, hardenability, and high-temperature strength.
• Nickel (Ni): 0.90 – 1.20% Increases toughness and hardenability, particularly in larger sections.

This specific combination of elements gives DIN 1.2738 its unique properties, making it a preferred choice for numerous applications.

Key Properties of DIN 1.2738

• High Hardness and Strength: DIN 1.2738 is typically supplied in a pre-hardened condition (280-325 HB), offering excellent resistance to wear and deformation.
• Excellent Machinability: Despite its hardness, DIN 1.2738 exhibits good machinability, allowing for efficient and precise mold making.
• Superior Polishability: This steel can be polished to a high surface finish, crucial for producing plastic parts with aesthetic appeal.
• Good Toughness: The addition of nickel enhances the toughness of DIN 1.2738, making it resistant to cracking and chipping, even under demanding conditions.
• Good Weldability: While not as readily weldable as some other steels, DIN 1.2738 can be welded with proper procedures, allowing for repairs and modifications.

Applications of DIN 1.2738

DIN 1.2738 finds extensive use in various industries, primarily in:

• Plastic Injection Molding: This is the most common application for DIN 1.2738. It is used to manufacture molds for a wide range of plastic products, from automotive parts and household appliances to electronic components and packaging.
• Die Casting: DIN 1.2738 can also be used for die casting dies, particularly for aluminum and zinc alloys.
• Hydroforming Tools: Its high strength and toughness make it suitable for hydroforming tools, which are used to shape metal sheets using high-pressure fluid.
• General Engineering: DIN 1.2738 can be employed in various general engineering applications requiring high strength, toughness, and wear resistance.

Advantages of Using DIN 1.2738

• Cost-Effectiveness: DIN 1.2738 offers a good balance of properties and price, making it a cost-effective solution for many applications.
• Reduced Manufacturing Time: The pre-hardened condition of DIN 1.2738 eliminates the need for post-heat treatment, saving time and reducing manufacturing costs.
• Improved Mold Performance: The excellent machinability, polishability, and toughness of DIN 1.2738 contribute to improved mold performance, resulting in higher quality plastic parts and increased production efficiency.
• Versatility: DIN 1.2738’s wide range of properties makes it suitable for diverse applications, offering flexibility in design and manufacturing.

DIN 1.2738 vs. Other Tool Steels

While several other tool steels are available, DIN 1.2738 stands out due to its unique combination of properties.

Compared to DIN 1.2311 (P20), DIN 1.2738 offers improved hardenability and toughness due to the addition of nickel.

This makes it particularly suitable for larger molds and more demanding applications.

Heat Treatment of DIN 1.2738

As DIN 1.2738 is typically supplied in a pre-hardened condition, further heat treatment is usually not required. However, if necessary, it can be annealed for softening or stress relieved to reduce residual stresses.

Conclusion

DIN 1.2738 tool steel is a versatile and reliable material that has become an industry standard for plastic injection molding and other applications.

 Its excellent combination of properties, including high hardness, toughness, machinability, and polishability, makes it a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking high-quality molds and tooling.

Whether you’re in the automotive, electronics, or consumer goods industry, DIN 1.2738 can provide the performance and reliability you need.

Keywords: DIN 1.2738, tool steel, plastic mold steel, injection molding, die casting, hydroforming, machinability, polishability, toughness, hardness, pre-hardened, P20+Ni, 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4²¹

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