1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Product Introduction

1.2316/X36CrMo17 tool steel is a commonly used tool steel for plastic moulds and belongs to the German DIN standard (W-Nr. numbering system), which corresponds to the American ASTM/AISI standard 420H and the Chinese GB standard 3Cr17NiMo. 1.2316, 420H and X36CrMo17 steel are three widely used tool steels for mould making, all of which have core characteristics of corrosion resistance, but with different compositions and orientations.

1.2316, 420H and X36CrMo17 tool steel are three kinds of tool steels widely used in mould making, all of them take corrosion resistance as the core feature, but the composition and positioning have their own emphasis. 1.2316 (corresponding to grade X38CrMo16) is a kind of high-carbon chromium and molybdenum alloy tool steel, containing 0.33-0.43% carbon, 15.0-17.0% chromium, and about 1.00-1.30% molybdenum,1.00~1.30%, both wear resistance, toughness and corrosion resistance, optimized for plastic moulds (especially PVC and other corrosive materials) and wet environment design of the core, cavity and other parts.

420H is a martensitic stainless steel, the high hardness that can be achieved by quenching and tempering, the main high polished and wear-resistant, especially suitable for transparent plastic parts (eg, optical lenses, CD moulds) and the weak acid humid working conditions. X36CrMo17 (approx. 1.2316 upgrade) is a prehardened and tempered steel with an emphasis on corrosion and thermal fatigue resistance, and is mainly oriented towards small precision moulds and chemically resistant thermoplastic moulding.

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Types and Options

The table below shows the size range, surface condition and tolerance details for 1.2316/420H/X36CrMo17 Tool Steel:

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Customized Options

1. Customized chemical composition: GB, DIN, ASTM, JIS and other standard grades can be produced. Chemical composition can be customized individually.
2. Customized specifications: round steel (diameter), plate (thickness, width) can be customized production.
3. Specialized packaging for long term storage or extreme transportation conditions: includes spraying black paint all around, wrapping plastic film, spraying anti-rust oil, and shipping in wooden crates.
4. Customized production based on samples or technical agreements.
5. 1.2316/420H/X36CrMo17 Tool Steel Electroslag Remelting (ESR): premium option with higher purity and isotropic properties for critical applications.

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Chemical Composition

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Heat Treatment Process

1.Annealing

2.Quenching

3.Tempering

4.Precautions

Heating process should control the rate of heating to avoid too rapid a rise in temperature leading to workpiece surface oxidation and decarburization. Protective atmosphere heating can be used or placed in the furnace charcoal and other anti-decarburization agent.

When quenching and cooling, choose the appropriate cooling medium and cooling method according to the shape and size of the workpiece to ensure the quenching effect while reducing the risk of deformation and cracking.

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Quality Inspection

1.Surface Condition Inspection

2.Chemical Composition Testing

3.Dimension and Tolerance Inspection

4.Hardness test

5.Ultrasonic Testing

6.Microstructure Inspection

(1) Metallographic Analysis

FCS factory will use metallographic analysis instrument to detect the microstructure state after heat treatment, including carbide distribution, martensite morphology, residual austenite content, etc.

 (2) Grain size rating

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Technical Specifications

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Product Applications

1.2316 Tool Steel main application areas

1. Plastic moulds: moulding of corrosive plastics (e.g. PVC, halogenated plastics, medical plastics), due to high resistance to chemical attack. Large injection mould cavities, extrusion moulds, benefiting from uniform hardness and low deformation properties.
2. Industrial parts: pump shafts, compressor components, marine equipment parts, adapted to humid or chemical environments.
3. Mould repair: embedded as inserts in low corrosion-resistant moulds (e.g. 1.2083) to enhance life.

420H Tool Steel main application areas

1. High finish moulds: moulds for transparent plastic parts (CD discs, lenses, optical instruments), which depend on a flawless surface. Medical device moulds (e.g. syringes, Luer fittings), meeting hygiene and corrosion resistance requirements.
2. Additive manufacturing applications: shape-following cooling of mould inserts (3D printing), reducing cooling time by 80% and avoiding channel rust blockage.
3. Knives and instruments: scalpels, food processing knives, combining hardness and corrosion resistance.

X36CrMo17 Tool Steel main application areas

Small precision moulds: moulds for corrosive thermoplastics (e.g. POM, plastics with additives). Moulds for mirrored products (cosmetic packaging, transparent containers) with excellent polishing properties.

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Comparison Summary

 

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Customer Success Stories

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Pricing Structure Information

1.2316 Tool Steel | 420H | X36CrMo17 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between 1.2316 and standard stainless steel?
A:1.2316 has outstanding corrosion resistance to organic acids while maintaining excellent mechanical properties and machinability. Unlike standard stainless steel, it is pre-hardened and can achieve mirror-polished quality.

Q:How does 1.2316 compare with 420 stainless steel?

A:1.2316 has similar corrosion resistance, but it has better mechanical properties, better polishing performance, and is in a pre-hardened state. It shows better dimensional stability during heat treatment and has better machinability in the hardened state.

Q: Is 1.2316 suitable for food contact applications?
A: Yes, 1.2316 meets the FDA food contact requirements after proper processing and polishing. Its resistance to food acids and cleaning chemicals makes it an ideal choice for food processing equipment.