Plastic Mold Steel -1.2738HH

Chemical Composition (%):

Element Composition (%)
C (Carbon) 0.27–0.30
Si (Silicon) 0.03
Mn (Manganese) 1.50–1.60
P (Phosphorus) (Max) ≤0.010
S (Sulfur) (Max) ≤0.001
Cr (Chromium) 1.20–1.40
Mo (Molybdenum) 0.45–0.60
Ni (Nickel) 1.05–1.20

Overview:

VR400 is a premium high hard tool steel specifically engineered for the production of large plastic injection and compression molds—especially for automotive industry applications where exceptional toughness, texturing capability, and through-hardening are critical.

Thanks to its advanced metallurgy and specialized heat treatment process, VR400 ensures uniform hardness through thicknesses of up to 1300 mm, making it ideal for heavy-duty and deep-section mold components.

Key Advantages:

  • Consistent hardness across large cross-sections (up to 1300 mm)

  • Excellent surface polishability

  • High machinability for efficient tooling

  • Outstanding texturing properties for detailed mold surfaces

  • Enhanced thermal conductivity for optimized mold cycle times

  • Improved weldability – comparable to W.Nr. 1.2738

  • Superior toughness for structural integrity under heavy loads

Comparable Standards:

Standard Equivalent Grade
DIN VR400
W.Nr 1.2738 HH
JIS

Manufacturing Process:

EAF → LF → VD → Forging → Quenched & Tempered (QT)
Complies with EN 10228-3 Class 4 and SEP 1921 Class E/e standards for quality assurance and defect-free internal structure.

Delivery Condition:

Supplied in quenched and tempered condition with a typical hardness of 360–400 HB (39–43 HRC).

Through-Hardening Capability:

Achieves exceptional through-hardening up to 1300 mm thickness due to a well-balanced chemical formulation and precision-controlled production.

Heat Treatment Recommendations:

Treatment Temperature (°C) Holding Time (min/mm) Cooling Notes
Annealing 650 – 700 ≥2 Air or furnace Reduces hardness below 250 HB to enhance machinability
Stress Relieving 500 – 550 ≥2 Air or furnace Recommended after machining to relieve residual stresses
Hardening 860 – 900 ≥1 Polymer quench Followed by tempering
Tempering 550 – 610 ≥3 Air or furnace Perform a second tempering 30°C below the first for optimal results

Physical Properties (Reference Values):

Property 20°C 100°C 250°C 500°C
Thermal Expansion (10⁻⁶/K) 11.4 11.6 12.7 14.2
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) 36.0 36.7 38.0 34.3
Young’s Modulus (kN/mm²) 211 207 199 166

Applications:

  • Large-scale plastic injection molds

  • Compression molds for complex automotive parts

  • Textured mold surfaces requiring high detail precision

  • Die sets and tool holders for heavy-duty applications

Why choose Steel Mart as a C45 Carbon Steel Supplier?

  • Certified Premium Quality: They provide high-quality, often ISI-certified C45 Carbon Steel Supplier with complete documentation like Mill Test Certificates (MTCs), ensuring guaranteed chemical composition and mechanical properties.
  • Value-Added Processing: They offer essential services like cut-to-size options and processing (machining, grinding) tailored to your exact specifications, which minimizes your processing time and scrap.
  • Reliable Supply & Logistics: They maintain a ready and extensive stock of C45 steel in various forms and boast a strong supply chain network for fast, on-time delivery.
  • Industry Experience & Trust: With a long-standing legacy (often cited as 50+ years), they bring deep technical expertise and a trusted reputation for reliability and honest business practices.
  • Technical Support & Guidance: Their team provides valuable technical advice and consultation on material selection, heat treatment, and fabrication, acting as a supportive partner for your project.

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