Bohler-Uddeholm,P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Wire

Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Wire Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Wire Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Böhler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel** ## **Product Overview** **Böhler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED** is an enhanced, pre-hardened chromium-molybdenum alloy tool steel specifically engineered for plastic mold and die-casting applications. Supplied at a uniform hardness of approximately **30-33 HRC (285-325 HBW)**, this premium-grade material eliminates the need for heat treatment by the end-user, significantly reducing lead times and minimizing the risks of distortion associated with quenching. The "Modified" designation indicates a controlled chemistry and manufacturing process that delivers superior consistency, machinability, polishability, and weldability compared to standard P20 grades, making it the industry benchmark for high-performance mold bases and cavity inserts. --- ## **1. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Ready-to-Machine State:** Supplied pre-hardened and stress-relieved, allowing immediate machining, fabrication, and finishing without subsequent heat treatment. * **Excellent Machinability:** Outstanding cutting performance in its pre-hardened state, reducing cycle times and extending tool life compared to higher-hardness steels. * **Superior Consistency:** Premium melting and processing ensure homogeneous properties throughout the entire cross-section, critical for large mold blocks. * **Very Good Polishability:** Capable of achieving high-quality surface finishes (up to SPI B-2/A-3), suitable for many consumer product applications. * **Good Weldability:** Exhibits excellent weld repair characteristics with minimal pre-heat requirements, a critical feature for mold maintenance and modification. * **High Dimensional Stability:** Minimal risk of distortion during machining due to the stress-relieved condition and uniform microstructure. * **Good Through-Hardening Capacity (if required):** Can be through-hardened to approximately 50 HRC if a higher surface hardness is needed for specific cavity applications. --- ## **2. Typical Chemical Composition (Weight %)** | Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Molybdenum (Mo) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Content** | **0.35 - 0.40** | **1.80 - 2.10** | **0.35 - 0.55** | **1.20 - 1.50** | **0.20 - 0.40** | **Alloying Rationale & "Modified" Aspect:** * **Carbon (0.37%):** Balanced to provide adequate hardenability while maintaining excellent machinability in the pre-hardened state. * **Chromium (1.95%) & Molybdenum (0.45%):** Provide hardenability, strength, and contribute to a fine microstructure. The controlled ratio ensures consistent through-thickness properties. * **Manganese (1.35%):** Enhances hardenability and contributes to strength. * **"PREMIUM MODIFIED" Specification:** Implies tighter compositional control, lower sulfur content (<0.005% typical), and often calcium treatment for improved chip formation and superior isotropic properties compared to generic P20. --- ## **3. Physical & Mechanical Properties** ### **Physical Properties (at 30 HRC):** * **Density:** ~7.82 g/cm³ * **Thermal Conductivity:** ~36 W/(m·K) at 20°C * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~205 GPa * **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:** ~12.5 x 10⁻⁶/K (20-100°C) ### **Mechanical Properties (Delivery Condition):** * **Hardness:** **285 - 325 HBW (30 - 33 HRC)** * **Tensile Strength:** ~1000 - 1100 MPa * **Yield Strength (0.2% offset):** ~800 - 950 MPa * **Elongation at Break:** ~12% * **Impact Strength (Charpy V):** ~40 - 60 J * **Machinability Index:** ~80% (Relative to 160 HBW free-cutting steel as 100%) --- ## **4. Primary Applications** P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED is the fundamental workhorse material for the global mold-making industry. * **Plastic Injection Molds:** * **Mold bases, backing plates, support pillars, and ejector housings.** * **Cavity and core inserts** for general-purpose and technical plastics (e.g., ABS, PP, PE, PS, PC). * **Large automotive molds** (bumpers, dashboards, interior trim). * **Appliance and consumer goods molds.** * **Die-Casting Dies:** Holder plates, bolster plates, and support frames for aluminum and zinc die-casting. * **Other Tooling:** Stamping die shoes, forming die bases, and master models for prototyping. --- ## **5. Relevant International Standards & Comparable Grades** P20 is a globally recognized classification. The "PREMIUM MODIFIED" version aligns with the highest quality tier within these standards. | Standard | Grade / Designation | Country/Region | Similarity / Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **AISI / ASTM A681** | **P20 Modified** | USA | Direct equivalent classification for modified chemistry P20. | | **DIN / Werkstoff** | **1.2311 (Modified)** | Germany/EU | 40CrMnMo7-6. The most common European P20 designation. | | **ISO 4957** | **35CrMo2** | International | Corresponding ISO grade. | | **JIS G4404** | **SCM440 Modified** | Japan | Japanese alloy steel equivalent. | | **GB/T 1299** | **3Cr2Mo (SM3Cr2Mo)** | China | Chinese P20 standard grade. | | **Uddeholm Proprietary** | **IMPAX® Supreme** | International | Uddeholm's alternative premium pre-hardened steel with similar applications but different chemistry (Ni-Cr-Mo). | **Crucial Distinction:** While "P20" is a generic term, **Böhler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED** signifies material produced with stringent controls for cleanliness, homogeneity, and guaranteed properties, ensuring performance beyond minimum standard requirements. --- ## **6. Processing & Fabrication Guidelines** * **Machining:** **Excellent.** Use carbide tools for optimal performance. Standard tool steel machining practices apply. Good chip breaking is characteristic of this grade. * **Drilling & Tapping:** Performs well. Ensure proper coolant and sharp tools. * **Grinding:** Straightforward. Use aluminum oxide wheels with standard parameters. * **EDM (Sinker & Wire):** Performs very well. A light temper at ~400°C after EDM is recommended to relieve stresses from the hardened surface layer, especially before polishing. * **Polishing & Texturing:** Good polishability for a pre-hardened steel. Proceed through standard abrasive and diamond steps. Suitable for photochemical etching and laser texturing. * **Welding:** **Excellent weldability.** Common for mold repair and modification. * **Pre-heat:** 300 - 400°C (for large sections or high restraint). * **Filler Metal:** Use matching or slightly softer welding wires (e.g., UDDEHOLM P20-W or similar AWS ER70S-6 type). * **Post-Weld:** Stress relieve at 400 - 450°C, especially for critical areas. * **Surface Hardening (Optional):** Can be nitrided (gas or plasma) to increase surface hardness to ~65 HRC for improved wear resistance on selected areas. --- ## **7. Conclusion** **Böhler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED** is the definitive, high-reliability choice for mold makers seeking a **balanced, ready-to-use, and versatile material**. It perfectly embodies the principle of "right-first-time" manufacturing by eliminating heat treatment from the production workflow. Its superior consistency and machinability directly translate to reduced lead times, lower manufacturing costs, and predictable performance in the mold. As the backbone of countless production molds worldwide, P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED provides an optimal balance of properties for the vast majority of plastic injection molding applications. For mold bases and inserts where extreme wear resistance or corrosion resistance is not required, it remains the most efficient, economical, and proven engineering solution available. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6885 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. -: Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened Mold Steel Wire -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Bohler-Uddeholm P20 PREMIUM MODIFIED Pre-hardened 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 3356 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