
AISI P20 (UNS T51620), widely referred to as SAE P20 or Plastic Mold/Mould Steel, is a chromium-molybdenum low-alloy tool steel engineered specifically for the construction of plastic injection molds and zinc die-casting dies.
The defining operational advantage of P20 is that it is almost always supplied by stockists in a Pre-Hardened (Quenched and Tempered) condition, typically to a working hardness of 28 to 32 HRC (280 to 320 HBW). This completely eliminates the need for post-machining heat treatment, avoiding the risk of part distortion, cracking, or dimensional scaling in complex, expensive mold cavities.
The balance of chromium and molybdenum provides uniform hardness even through thick cross-sections of large mold blocks.
| Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Nickel (Ni) |
| 0.28 0.40% | 1.40 2.00% | 0.30 0.55% | 0.60 1.00% | 0.20 0.80% | ~1.00% (Optional variants) |
When sourcing P20 bars, you will likely encounter three specific commercial variants designed to optimize different manufacturing processes:
Standard P20 (W.Nr. 1.2311 / 3Cr2Mo): The base grade providing balanced toughness, machinability, and standard polishability.
P20+S (W.Nr. 1.2312 / 40CrMnMoS8-6): Infused with extra sulfur to dramatically boost machinability for automated milling. Note: The sulfur inclusions lower its capability for mirror-polishing or photo-etching.
P20+Ni (W.Nr. 1.2738 / 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4): Contains ~1% nickel. This enhances core thorough-hardenability in heavy block cross-sections and enables a high mirror-polish finish, ideal for high-gloss aesthetic consumer plastic molds.
Delivered pre-hardened for clean, predictable milling and turning. Round bar and rod stock are highly utilized for:
Mould Bases & Bolsters: The structural skeleton plates that back up and support the mold inserts under severe clamping pressures.
Die Holders & Backers: Retains structural alignment in zinc die-casting setups.
Heavy-Duty Machinery Parts: Shafts, rails, and structural wear strips operating under moderate load where low distortion is a priority.
Milled, sawn, or forged flat blocks are the primary raw material for cavity machining.
Plastic Injection Molds: Used to form consumer electronics casings, automotive interior components (dashboards, door panels), household containers, and toys.
Blow Molding Dies: Ideal for high-volume container lines where chemical attack from polymers is low.
Zinc Die Casting Dies: Can withstand the moderate thermal cyclical stress of molten zinc injection.
Because P20 is delivered pre-hardened, traditional hardening is rare. Instead, stress relieving is the primary thermal process.
Stress Relieving (Post-Machining): Heavy machining introduces severe structural stress. To ensure long-term dimensional stability, heat to $460^circtext{C} - 500^circtext{C}$, soak thoroughly (1 hour per inch of thickness), and cool slowly in still air or the furnace.
Soft Annealing (Only if re-hardening is required): Heat uniformly to $760^circtext{C} - 788^circtext{C}$, hold for 2 hours, and slow-cool in the furnace ($le 4^circtext{C}$ per hour) down to $600^circtext{C}$. This drops the hardness to max 235 HBW.
Re-Hardening: Austenitize at $830^circtext{C} - 870^circtext{C}$, followed by an oil quench or a warm salt bath ($180^circtext{C} - 220^circtext{C}$).
Tempering (Re-treatment): If re-hardened, temper immediately between $482^circtext{C} - 593^circtext{C}$ to safely return to a stabilized mold-working window of 28 to 37 HRC.
When verifying mill test certificates (MTC) or global cross-references, P20 corresponds directly to:
Germany (DIN / W.Nr.): 1.2311 (Standard) / 1.2312 (Resulfurized) / 1.2738 (+Ni)
China (GB): 3Cr2Mo / 3Cr2MnNiMo
Japan (JIS): ~PX5 / PDS3 (Proprietary mill equivalents matching P20 performance)
International (ISO): 40CrMnMo7 / 40CrMnNiMo8-6-4
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