InduSteel Wire,Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire

InduSteel Wire Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: InduSteel Wire Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Industeel Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Introduction: Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel** ## **1. Overview** **Industeel Superplast® 400** is a premium **prehardened, high-hardness mold steel** specifically engineered for demanding plastic injection molds and die-casting tooling applications requiring superior **wear resistance, compressive strength, and dimensional stability**. Delivered in a **quenched and tempered (prehardened) condition** with a guaranteed hardness of **400 HB (42-44 HRC)**, this advanced alloy steel bridges the performance gap between standard P20-type steels (300 HB) and conventional through-hardened tool steels. Superplast® 400 offers an exceptional combination of **high as-delivered hardness, excellent machinability in the prehardened state, and good polishability**, making it ideal for molds producing abrasive plastics, high-volume components, or tools subject to significant mechanical stress where extended service life is critical. ## **2. International Standards & Specifications** Superplast® 400 is a proprietary grade developed to meet specialized high-hardness requirements not fully covered by standard prehardened mold steel classifications. * **Primary Manufacturer Standard:** * **Industeel Superplast® 400:** Proprietary specification defining this high-hardness prehardened mold steel. * **Material Classification & Comparative Grades:** * **Type:** **High-Hardness Prehardened Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy Steel** (Enhanced P20+/H13-type). * **Performance Benchmark:** Positioned between standard prehardened steels (1.2311/1.2738 at ~300 HB) and through-hardened hot work steels (H13 at 48-52 HRC). It offers the convenience of prehardened delivery with hardness approaching that of heat-treated steels. * **International Equivalents (Performance Tier):** * **Modified DIN 1.2344 (H13) Prehardened:** Some manufacturers offer H13-type steels in prehardened conditions at similar hardness. * **Premium P20+Ni High-Hardness Variants:** Such as certain **1.2738** grades delivered at higher hardness. * **Proprietary High-Strength Grades:** Like **Uddeholm IMPAX Supreme** or **Böhler M300 Extra** at elevated hardness levels. * **ISO 4957:** Would fall under alloy steel classifications, but represents a specialized composition and processing route. ## **3. Chemical Composition (Weight %, Typical)** The composition is optimized to achieve high hardenability and tempering resistance while maintaining machinability at elevated hardness. | Element | Typical Range (%) | Role & Benefit | |---------|------------------|----------------| | **Carbon (C)** | 0.38 – 0.45 | Provides core strength and hardness. Higher than standard P20 to achieve the target 400 HB hardness. | | **Chromium (Cr)** | 1.80 – 2.20 | Enhances hardenability for uniform through-thickness properties and provides mild wear/corrosion resistance. | | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | 0.40 – 0.60 | **Increased content** (vs. standard P20). Critical for achieving high hardenability in thick sections and improving high-temperature strength and tempering resistance. | | **Vanadium (V)** | 0.10 – 0.20 | Added for grain refinement, secondary hardening during tempering, and improved wear resistance. | | **Nickel (Ni)** | 0.80 – 1.20 (May be present) | Often included to significantly enhance **core toughness and impact strength** at high hardness levels, a key differentiator. | | **Manganese (Mn)** | 1.00 – 1.40 | Aids in hardenability and strength. | | **Silicon (Si)** | 0.20 – 0.40 | Deoxidizer and solid solution strengthener. | | **Sulfur (S)** | ≤ 0.005 (Ultra-Low) | Kept extremely low to ensure good **toughness, weldability, and polishability** despite the high hardness. | ## **4. Typical Physical & Mechanical Properties (As Prehardened)** * **Delivery Condition:** Quenched and tempered at the mill, ready for machining. * **Guaranteed Hardness:** **380 – 420 HB (41 – 44 HRC)** – Uniform throughout large cross-sections (typically up to 800mm thickness). * **Tensile Strength:** 1300 – 1450 MPa (188,000 – 210,000 psi) * **Yield Strength (0.2% Offset):** 1150 – 1300 MPa (167,000 – 188,000 psi) * **Elongation:** ≥ 8% (in 50mm) * **Impact Toughness (Charpy V-Notch):** **≥ 20 J (15 ft-lb) at room temperature** – **Good for its hardness level**, a result of optimized composition (e.g., Ni addition). * **Machinability:** **Good to Fair.** More demanding than 300 HB steels but still machinable with appropriate tooling. Requires rigid setups, sharp carbide tools, and proper cooling. Rated ~60-70% of 1% carbon steel. * **Polishability:** **Very Good.** Capable of achieving fine surface finishes (SPI #A2-A3) with proper technique. The ultra-low sulfur content is critical for this. * **Weldability:** **Fair.** Requires strict procedures: high preheat (350-400°C), low-hydrogen electrodes, and post-weld tempering at 450-500°C. More challenging than lower hardness prehardened steels. * **Dimensional Stability:** **Excellent.** Exhibits minimal distortion during machining due to its stable, tempered martensitic structure. * **Physical Properties:** * **Density:** 7.85 g/cm³ * **Modulus of Elasticity:** 210 GPa (30.5 × 10⁶ psi) * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~ 33 W/m·K (at 20°C) * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** 11.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C (20–100°C) ## **5. Product Application** Superplast® 400 is selected for applications where the high as-delivered hardness provides a direct performance advantage, eliminating the need for through-hardening. * **Plastic Injection Molds for Abrasive Materials:** * **Molds for glass-filled, mineral-filled, or carbon fiber-reinforced polymers** (PA, PBT, PPS). * **High-volume production molds** where wear on cores, cavities, and ejector systems is a primary concern. * **Die Casting Tooling:** * **Ejector pins, cores, and wear inserts** for aluminum and zinc die casting. * **Nozzles and shot sleeve liners.** * **Hot Runner Systems:** * **Manifolds, nozzles, and tips** requiring high hardness at elevated temperatures. * **General Heavy-Duty Tooling:** * **Jigs, fixtures, and wear plates** in high-stress applications. * **Precision gauges and machine components.** ## **6. Key Features & Advantages** * **High As-Delivered Hardness (400 HB):** Provides immediate wear resistance comparable to many heat-treated tool steels, extending mold life in abrasive applications. * **Eliminates Secondary Heat Treatment:** Removes the cost, lead time, and risk of distortion associated with through-hardening processes. * **Good Toughness at High Hardness:** The optimized alloy design (often with Ni) provides better impact resistance than expected for 400 HB, reducing chipping risk. * **Excellent Dimensional Stability:** The stress-relieved, prehardened condition ensures minimal movement during and after machining, crucial for precision tooling. * **Superior Machinability for its Hardness:** Engineered to be machinable in the hardened state, offering a significant productivity advantage over post-machining heat treatment. * **Good Polishability:** Enables high-quality surface finishes necessary for consumer products and technical components. * **Through-Hardening Capability (Optional):** Can be through-hardened to even higher hardness levels (48-52 HRC) if required for specific components, offering flexibility. ## **7. Processing Guidelines** * **Machining:** Use premium carbide or CBN tooling. Maintain rigid setups. Lower cutting speeds and feeds than for 300 HB steels. Use ample coolant. * **Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM):** Performs well. A stress-relief temper (180-200°C) after roughing is recommended. * **Grinding:** Use appropriate wheels (aluminum oxide or CBN). Avoid excessive heat generation to prevent softening or cracking. * **Welding:** Exercise caution. Mandatory high preheat, use of matching or high-toughness filler metals (e.g., tool steel grade), and thorough post-weld tempering are essential. * **Stress Relieving:** For critical, high-precision molds, a final stress relief at 500-550°C may be beneficial after machining. **Summary:** Industeel Superplast® 400 represents a strategic high-performance solution for mold makers seeking to maximize tool life and performance without engaging in complex, risky heat treatment cycles. By delivering a hardness of 400 HB directly from the mill with good machinability and toughness, it fills a critical niche in the mold steel spectrum. For applications involving abrasive plastics, high-volume production, or components requiring high wear resistance and dimensional accuracy, Superplast® 400 provides a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to conventional heat-treated tool steels, streamlining the manufacturing process while enhancing the durability of the final tool. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Industeel Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <7047 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Industeel Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of InduSteel Wire Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers InduSteel Wire Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of InduSteel Wire Superplast® 400 High Hardness Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and Steel Wire drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3518 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition