We are stockholders suppliers of plastic mould steels:

Steel Express is a stockholder and supplier of mould steels throughout the UK. We stock the listed mould steel grades in round bar, flat bar and plate.

Plastic mould steel are characterised by good dimensional stability during heating, good polishability, high impact strength and good wear characteristics. Within the general class of mould steel different grades will deliver better polishability or improved machinability. Some also offer improved corrosion resistance making them particularly suitable for moulding chemically aggressive plastics. Most mould steel are supplied pre-hardened.

We're sometimes asked if it is mold steel or mould steel - the answer is that mold is the American English spelling and mould is the British English spelling. So now you know!

D2 Supreme™

D2 Supreme is a close equivalent to DC53 cold work die and mould steel. It has excellent machining characteristics coupled with excellent wear resistance, toughness and compressive strength. Highly recommended for use when greater toughness is required.
Typical applications: Moulds, punches, swaging dies, cold forging dies, forming dies, gauges, blades, shears, general purpose
(D2 Supreme data sheet & typical analysis available on request)

P20 Tool Steel

P20 (1.2311) Pre hardened to approximately 300 HB (65 t.s.i) P20 requires no further heat treatment therefore avoiding risk of distortion or cracking. Although pre-hardened P20 is still capable of being machined and of giving a good polished finish.
Typical applications:Plastic moulds, backers, bolsters, die holders. Also suitable for other applications such as rails, shafts and wear strips
(data sheet & typical analysis available on request)

P20S (1.2312) Delivered pre-hardened this material is ready for use at approximately 280/325 H.B. Similar to P20 (1.2311) but with a higher sulphur content which provides much improved machinability. This grade is not suitable for polishing or other applications requiring a fine finish.
Typical applications: Suitable for large mould frames and bolsters
(data sheet & typical analysis available on request)

P20N (1.2738) Delivered pre hardened ready for use at 280/325 H.B. With added Nickel to ensure consistent hardness through large sections. Easy to polish and readily machinable.
Typical applications: Used for quality for pressing and injection moulding tools. If the section exceeds 400mm P20 (1.2311) won't provide a consistent through hardness. Suitable for hard chrome plating and for nitriding
(data sheet & typical analysis available on request)

1.2316 Mould Steel

1.2316 is a chrome-molybdenum steel with improved corrosion resistance properties, DIN 1.2316 / X38CrMo16 possesses good polishability, toughness, heat resistance and wear-resistant properties. It is a plastic mould steel often used for tools for processing chemically aggressive plastic materials (e.g. PVC).

Typical applications: Injection mould for plastics, die-casting moulds, moulding of corrosive material (PVC), extrusion tools.